PL : Koeman praises Pickford's stellar Everton start

Everton boss Ronald Koeman heaped praise on new signing Jordan Pickford after the goalkeeper played a key part in Saturday's season-opening win over Stoke City.

Wayne Rooney scored the only goal as the Toffees overcame a sluggish start to register a hard-earned 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
The result would have been different had Pickford not produced a stunning stoppage-time save to deny Xherdan Shaqiri, leaping to his left to push the Swiss star's goal-bound drive around the post.
Pickford's save preserved a clean sheet on his first Premier League appearance for Everton, a feat the 23-year-old also achieved on competitive debut in the Europa League.

Despite the victory, Koeman admitted his new-look side was affected by nerves against a determined Stoke.

"We know we brought in a really good goalkeeper," Koeman told Sky Sports.
"He dominated his area today, he's still young, and he had a great save on that [Shaqiri] shot. That's really important." - Goal

Free cash for looters !!! Gates foundation grants $10m for food fortification in Nigeria and other African countries

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has committed $10 million into food fortification in Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania, in line with its fight against malnutrition in Africa.

The grant, which was received by TechnoServe, a nonprofit consortium of world class food companies, is aimed at strengthening the ability of food processors to comply with fortification standards, and supporting the fortification enabling environment.
The stakeholders highlighted that one in three children in Nigeria are stunted, while two out of three are chronically malnourished, due to lack of essential micronutrients.
According to them, lack of essential nutrients diminish productivity, reduce IQ points by 10-15 percent, cuts gross domestic product (GDP) by two to three percent.

To tackle this, the initiative will support about 40 food companies in Nigeria to achieve the goal of standardised food fortification
According to the BMGF, the four-year initiative will help food companies in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania to improve competitiveness, while increasing availability of fortified foods.
The Nigerian portion of the initiative for strengthening African processors of fortiied food was launched at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos on Thursday with major stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday about the motive behind the initiative, Shawn Baker, global director of nutrition, Bill Melinda Gates Foundation, said

“To set the context; undernutrition is the cause of 45 percent of underfive mortality. Many children, almost half of children that die, die because of undernutrition, and we also know that good nutrition is essential for children’s physical and cognitive development.
“There are many ways too tackle malnutrition, but one fundamental way to ensure that the food the people eat has essential vitamins and minerals; vitamin A, iodine, folic acid, zinc. And the way to get that is to do large scale food fortification.

“It is really an important way that private sector food producers can make sure that the food thet are producing contains the nutrients that consumers need.
“What we have seen is that Nigeria has really been a pioneer in Africa, having mndatory fortification of cooking oil, sugar and flour. But there’s a disconnect between what the government mandates and what the industry is producing because compliance is not meeting standards.

“This is to help fill that gap to provide technical assistance to companies so they can meet the standards, but also work with the government to make sure that government continues to provide a level playing field so industry has the right incentives to fortify foods to standards”.

Donors at the event included  USAID, DFID, UNICEF, EU, ECOWAS, World Bank and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
The launch was also attended by representatives of the ministers of Agric, health, trade and investment and budget and national planning. - Cable Nigeria

Silly man !!! Even God believes in PDP, nobody can intimidate us - Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says nobody can intimidate members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because “even God believes” in them.

Speaking at the party’s non-elective convention in Abuja on Saturday, Jonathan said PDP achieved “a lot” in its 16 years of leadership and is poised to do more.
He said the main opposition party’s achievements and policies have been acknowledged and replicated not only in Africa but in other countries of the world.
The immediate past president said: “This experience is not limited to the PDP in Nigeria alone. I have gone round most African countries and I have seen that when a ruling party loses power, it somehow affects the party.
“So the PDP, if anything, has remained strong. We should thumb our chest and I can tell you that we are ready for 2019. The PDP is indeed back to reclaim its position as the party to lead Nigeria to greatness.

“Our joint development strides are there for every Nigerian to see. As I have said before, we in the PDP are doing very well and the elections we conducted in this country were accepted globally. We are a party that is determined to place Nigeria among global standards.
“People always want to diminish the PDP. It is difficult to intimidate us. We have done well from the time of Obasanjo to Yaradua and to my time. So nobody should intimidate us.”
“I was told that some people were insinuating that if PDP stayed in power, our economy would have stumbled. We had a strong team that steered our nation’s economy. Our good works have been looked at not just by Nigerians but by other countries of the world.”

Jonathan listed some prominent achievements of the party to include the YouWin entrepreneurship programme, agricultural innovations, general economic management and policies aimed at fighting corruption.
“So many youths benefitted from the programme (YouWin) and if you read in the papers, the world bank did a study of the programme and said it is the best,” he said.
“We may not have done very well but even in the fight against corruption, we came up with innovations because of our strong policies topmost among them being the treasury single account (TSA).

“I am here to reassure you that nobody can intimidate the PDP. I believe in the PDP, even God believes in the PDP. You can see the weather today. This is August 12 and there is no rain because God wants us to celebrate the PDP.”
He said although the PDP has gone through a crisis, it is ready to “reclaim its position” in 2019. - Cable Nigeria 

Pictured : Man arrested after mother and daughter stabbed to death at London home

A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of double murder after a mother and daughter were stabbed to death at their home in London.

Police had been appealing to trace Joshua Cohen following the killings in Golders Green on Friday night.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said he was spotted by a member of the public in nearby Golders Hill Park and alerted officers who detained him shortly before 2pm on Saturday.
Detective Inspector Ian Lott said: “This was a devastating attack on two women in their homes. Our investigation is ongoing.”

Officers were called to the house in Golders Green at 8.50pm on Friday to reports of two injured women and found the victims, aged 33 and 66, suffering from stab wounds.
“Both women were pronounced dead at the scene,” a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said, adding that the attacker knew the victims.
“While we await formal identification, officers are confident that they know the identity of the victims and that they are mother and daughter.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Rose officers were working with Jewish charity the Community Security Trust and informing them of developments, adding: “High visibility foot patrols have been stepped up in the area and police will be on hand to listen and respond to community concerns.“
The home in Golders Green Crescent has been closed off as forensic investigations continue. - The Independent

PL :Gary Cahill sent off 14 minutes into Chelsea's title defence

Gary Cahill has been sent off for Chelsea just 14 minutes into their Premier League title defence.

The Blues captain was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Burnley midfielder Steven Defour in their opener at Stamford Bridge after he had lost possession with a heavy touch.

Chelsea 14/1 to win Champions League
It is the third consecutive match in which the Blues have received a red card, having had Victor Moses sent off in May's FA Cup final and Pedro removed in last week's Community Shield, both matches against Arsenal.

However, it is the first red card Chelsea have received in league action for 40 matches.Goal

Pl news : He's back! Wayne Rooney right on target in Everton return

Wayne Rooney celebrated his first Premier League appearance for Everton since 2004 by producing a classy, record-breaking first-half opener Saturday against Stoke City.

The homegrown hero drifted unmarked into the area and rose high to guide Dominic Calvert-Lewin's delivery back across goal for a 1-0 lead.

Rooney, 31, ranks second to only Alan Shearer on the competition's list of all-time leading goalscorers.
Rooney's header lifted his top-flight haul to 199 and set a Premier League record for the length of time between two goals for the same team at a whopping 4,869 days. - Goal

PL : Coutinho saga far from Klopp's primary focus

Jurgen Klopp insists he will not become distracted by the transfer saga surrounding Philippe Coutinho, but suggested that the Liverpool star's future could be out of his hands.

Coutinho is believed to have handed in a transfer request on Friday, just hours after Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group released a statement in which they insisted they would not entertain offers for the Brazil star.
Barcelona have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old and are claimed to have had an offer totalling more than €100million rejected by the Premier League club.

Coutinho missed Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw with Watford on Saturday with a back injury and Klopp stressed afterwards that his focus is on the players at his disposal, although he hinted he might not have final say on the former Inter man's future.
"I cannot say a lot about it," he told Sky Sports. "I am responsible for the whole team, all these players and I need to focus on the players who are available. I have no influence on the players who aren't available.

"I have to accept decisions from owners, that's how it is, and sometimes from players, but for this moment I just have to concentrate on my team."
Liverpool conceded an injury-time header from Miguel Britos to surrender the lead at Vicarage Road, although Klopp was angry that the goal was allowed to stand due to the Watford defender having scored from an offside position.
However, Hornets boss Marco Silva felt his players deserved a point from a match in which they twice lost a one-goal lead.

"Our fans pushed our players on. We had some small injuries. We need to show this attitude and commitment in all our games."
"I think it's a fair result. We had a very good first half, a good intensity like I wanted," he told BBC Sport.
"I didn't like the first 25 minutes of the second half. We expected a good reaction from Liverpool but we needed to be better. We made mistakes. But we reacted well. - Goal

Whoa !!! God permits single ladies to date married men – Popular singer, Mzbel

One of the most popular singers in Ghana, Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah better known as Mzbel, has declared that God is not against ladies dating married men.

Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah, who has earlier said she does not believe in Jesus Christ and that Christianity is idol worship, made the declaration in an interview with Radio Univers.’

The singer said there is nothing wrong with dating a married man because her religion allows it.
The musician also denied claims that she was in an amorous relationship with the former president, John Dramani Mahama.
Nana Akua mentioned that she refers to the ex-president as ‘daddy’ and that tells they are not dating.
She added that a lady is also allowed to be with a married man on a condition that the woman is not a virgin.

She said, “My religion allows a man to marry as many as he wants so the ladies in Judaism accept the act. So far as he takes good care of you and does not give you problem, then you are good to be with him. Dating or marrying married man is not a big deal.

“I am not dating a married man but if I am, I won’t be shamed of it because God permits it. In the old testament, Solomon and others had plenty concubines. The only thing a married man cannot do is to take a another man’s wife.”
“The lady can also marry a married man but it has to be just one person in your life unlike a man who is allowed to marry even more than twenty women and be descent with them. If I am dating a married man I won’t be ashamed of it. - Daily Post

FG reveals what Buhari will do to Civil Service

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has disclosed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government will ensure it repositions the civil service for effective and efficient service delivery.

Speaking at the 2017 Nigeria Civil Service Week Dinner and Award Night held at the old Presidential Banquet, Abuja, on Friday night, the Acting president noted that the nation’s civil servants had worked against all odds to drive government’s agenda in its efforts to meet the needs of Nigerians

Represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammad Bello, Osinbajo, however, challenged civil servants to continue to work towards ensuring the implementation of the agenda of the Federal Government aimed at uplifting the quality of life of all citizens.
He said, “It should be our collective resolve to go all out in hard work to implement the agenda of this administration.
“This is centered on stabilising the micrographic environment, achieving agriculture and food security, ensuring energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products, improving transportation infrastructure, driving industrialisation with focus on SMEs and promoting the informal markets with particular attention to production and consumption of made in Nigeria goods and services.’’

Osinbajo also noted that the current government was also committed to the promotion of local industries, stimulating national economic growth and creating better environment for business to thrive.

He said: “The Executive Orders that were issued recently is a further attestation to this and they are meant to drive the Made in Nigeria Initiative with a view to increasing the demand for locally manufactured goods and services.
“The support of government for local content in public procurement will further strengthen the naira, create jobs and expand the country’s entrepreneur capacity leading to greater competitions among local manufacturers and service providers.

“All these will not be achieved without a confident and motivated workforce to run with the agenda of this administration.’’
“This we believe will drive down costs, improve quality and enhance ease of doing business in our dear country. - Daily Post

Updates ! Recall: Melaye to know fate Sept 11

A federal high court in Abuja has fixed September 11 to deliver judgment in a suit filed by Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi west,  challenging his planned recall by some voters in his constituency.

Nnamdi Dimgba, the judge, fixed the date after listening to arguments from all parties involved in the suit.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had commenced the process to recall Melaye, but the senator went to court to stop it.
One of the grounds, on which Melaye is challenging his recall, is that the signatures of some of the voters in the petition for his recall are fictitious.

Melaye who argued his case through his counsel, Nkem Okoro, said the majority of the signatories to the petition were dead people.
He added that death certificates were attached to the processes he filed as exhibits to ascertain the veracity of his claim that some of the signatories were late.
He also alleged that he was denied fair hearing by both his constituents and INEC.
“The petitioners ought to have informed Melaye of the facts and circumstances upon which the alleged loss of confidence was based prior to submission of the petition to INEC,” he said.
“INEC upon receipt of the said petition only served Melaye a mere notice that it had received a petition for his recall. So we are challenging INEC’s action.

“They should have shown a copy of the petition to Melaye and failure to do so amounts to denial of fair hearing and a violation of the laws of natural justice.”
Okoro also said his client was challenging the validity of the petition on the grounds that the petition was based on political animosity, malice and bad faith.
He urged the court to grant the prayers of his motion and stop INEC from going ahead with the planned recall.

Counsel to the other plaintiffs in the matter said they aligned themselves with the arguments of Okoro.
But Anthony Adeniyi, counsel to INEC, said Melaye had failed to show the court the particular signatories on the petition to which the death certificates attached as exhibit belonged.
“If he attached death certificates, he should tell the court that this certificate for example, belongs to signature number 24 on the petition, but he failed to do that,” he said.

 The matter was adjourned til September 11 for judgment. - Cable Nigeria

''Mr Kolobe'' sector dream on !!! ‘I’m already in Aso Rock’ — Fayose boasts at PDP convention

Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, says he is confident that the Peoples Democratic Power (PDP) will take power back from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

Speaking at the national convention of the PDP in Abuja on Saturday, Fayose said he can already see himself in Aso Rock while urging party faithful to congratulate themselves in advance.
He said Nigerians have “entered one chance” under the current administration and that the PDP will offer “plenty chances”.
Fayose, who is the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, also said officials of the current administration are out of their depths.
“Nigerians have entered one chance in this government. But we can assure you that the APC has entered one term and they have to go,” he said.

“The PDP is now a religion, a belief that we are going back to our villa. God will be with us. Those people there, at Aso Rock, they don’t know what they are doing.
“Out of that one chance, we will give you plenty chances. We make mistakes but our ability to correct them if what is important. It is time to arise and shine.
“Shake the persons next to you and tell him or her congratulations for 2019. I don’t know about you but as for me, I am in Aso Rock already.

“I want to congratulate our great party and to assure Nigerians that we are going to deliver them from all they are passing through.” - Cable Nigeria

PL :Salah fulfilling PlayStation dream at Liverpool

Record Liverpool signing Mohamed Salah says he has dreamed of joining the club ever since playing as them on the PlayStation.

The Egypt international moved to Anfield from Roma in July in a deal that the Serie A club confirmed could cost the Reds as much as €50million.
Salah, who is poised to make his competitive debut against Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, scored four times during an impressive pre-season campaign with his new side.

And the former Basel star is hoping Liverpool can challenge for trophies as the new campaign gets underway.
"It is a great club. It was a dream for me when I was young to play here one day," he told Sky Sports. "When I had the chance to come, I was thinking about whether I should stay in Rome or move here but because when I was young, it was a dream to me, I took the decision to come back.

"I would play as Liverpool on the PlayStation so I am happy to be here now. I was playing with a team like Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher. I liked the team and the way they were playing. I was seven or eight years old so I was playing just to enjoy myself.
"I am very happy to be here and I would like to help the team so I am very excited to start in the Premier League games and I think we can win something this year together."
Salah joined Chelsea in 2014 but failed to settle at Stamford Bridge, and he was sent on loan to Fiorentina and Roma before joining the latter permanently last year.

The 25-year-old believes he is a much better player than he was when Jose Mourinho brought him to England the first time and he is determined to prove his doubters wrong.
"It was always in my mind to come back. I like the challenge, I like English football and I want success here," he said.
"I was not playing at Chelsea so I took the decision to go somewhere else. I went to Fiorentina and did six months and with Roma, I was there for two seasons so it was a good challenge for me. I had a good time with Roma and I did well so it was a good time to come back.

"I think I have improved everything. I think now, compared to three or four years ago, I can defend more, I can play more tactically, I can finish better than I could before. I scored about 40 goals with Roma so that's quite good. I always like to improve myself."
"As a person, as a man, even on the pitch you can see that I have a lot of experience now. I played in Italy, I was in Switzerland, I came to England then I went back to Italy so it's a big change in my life. - Goal

A white woman once called me a dog – Veteran actor, Olu Jacobs

Veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs, has revealed that he was once addressed as a dog by a white woman while London.

The 75-year-old thespian attended the prestigious Royal Academy of the Arts in London and featured in a lot of British theatre and film productions till he returned to Nigeria many years later

Jacobs told Punch that he was a victim of racism in many occasions in the UK.

He said, “I was a victim of racism all the time. You felt it in the way the people looked at you and in their attitude toward you. But you could not do anything about it. I could not take somebody to court for that.

“A white woman once called me a dog. She had a vacant room for rent. But when I approached her, she asked if I didn’t see the ‘No dogs’ sign on her door.
“Before I could respond, she said that a dog was better than me and then slammed the door in my face. I felt so bad that I almost decided to return to Nigeria.” - Daily Post

Good !!! Police talks tough over jungle justice in Lagos

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni on Friday warned members of the public to desist from carrying out jungle justice.

Owoseni, in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the warning became necessary following incidents recorded after the discovery of underground ritual dens in the state.
On August 8, two persons suspected to be ritualists were set ablaze and some buildings vandalized at Ajala Bus-Stop, Ijaiye-Ojokoro area of Lagos.

Also on August 10, at Ile-Zik Bus Stop, along Old Abeokuta Road, a group of people attempted to carry out jungle justice on some destitute suspected to be ritualists and kidnappers.
The suspects were, however, saved by the quick intervention of the Police and other security agencies

Owoseni said jungle justice was unlawful, adding that vital evidence that could aid investigate were often destroyed in the process.
“In addition, in the course of discharging its constitutional responsibilities and preventing the barbaric act, Police officers were fatally wounded while stones were hurled at them as well as Police Patrol Vans.


He said that all those arrested in connection with the aforementioned cases would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
”However, a number of arrests were made in this regard,” he said.
According to the police commissioner, jungle justice, aside being a violation of the law, dents the image of the State.

“The General public is advised to report any suspicious happening in their areas to the Police and other Security Agencies,” Owoseni said. - Daily Post

Woman gets N31million compensation after police forcefully removed her hijab

Authorities in Long Beach, New York, United States of America has agreed to pay $85,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused its police officers of stripping a Muslim woman, Kirsty Powell, of her hijab during an arrest and making her spend a night in jail without it.

The federal lawsuit stated that male police officers forcibly removed the Long Beach resident, Powell’s head covering when they took her into custody in 2015, even after she explained she wore it as part of her religious beliefs.

Court documents said that the officers made Powell take a booking photo without the covering and did not return it until she was bailed out of jail the next day.

According to the lawsuit, “She cried throughout the ordeal and experienced humiliation when both her religious beliefs and personal integrity were violated.
“She felt that the male officers and male inmates had seen parts of her body that they should not have seen, according to her religious beliefs.”
The Long Beach City Council voted during the week to pay the settlement, which covers damages to Powell and her attorney’s fees.

According to DailyMail UK, officers who arrested Powell were following the Long Beach Police Department’s policy, but that policy itself was in the wrong, according to Machit.
Assistant City Attorney, Monte Machit said, “The city decided to settle because we viewed the claims by her as meritorious.” - Daily Post

Corruption everywhere !!! More money stashed away, Nigerians will be shocked – Magu

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu says all looted funds and assets from Nigeria recovered so far by the agency are only a tip of the iceberg.

He stated that there is much more stashed away in the country and in different parts of the world, adding that Nigeria has not seen anything yet.

Magu told Channels Television on Friday that his determination to recover all stolen funds and secure the country’s posterity remains unshaken.
“The corrupt people are fighting us in all angles on a 24-hour basis so our main challenge is the corruption fighting back using all sorts of instruments but we are trying our best, it has also heightened our commitment, our determination in the fight against corruption.

“We are following all the recovered funds and we intend to recover them all and cause the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law. Some of them are outside the country and we are following all the modalities, procedures in getting them repatriated back to the country.” Magu stated.

“We are not the only agency involved in the fight against corruption so I want to appeal to other law enforcement agencies who are also charged in fighting corruption to put more effort and support us in the fight against corruption but I am telling you what we have discovered is not unusual and it’s the tip of the iceberg. - Daily Post

One law for Saraki & co, another for others !!! Anambra poll: PDP bars aspirant over dual citizenship

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has barred Mr. Akolisa Ufodike from participating in the Anambra State governorship primary election for holding Nigerian and Canadian citizenships.

The party, however, cleared a serving senator, Stella Oduah, oil magnate, Dr. Patrick Ubah and House of Representatives member, Lynda Ikpeazu for the governorship primary.
A former Minister of State, John Okechukwu Emeka and Dr. Alex Obiogolu were also cleared by the party.

However, Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze’s clearance was put on hold pending the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) approval of his waiver application.
The Chairman of the screening committee, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, who addressed journalists on the outcome of the exercise, said Ufodike was barred based on the provision of Section 182(1) of the Nigerian Constitution.

According to Waziri, the said provision made it explicitly clear that anyone aspiring to become a governor of a state must hold only a Nigerian citizenship.
Other elective offices affected by the provision included the President, Vice President, deputy governors and members of National and state Assemblies. - The Nation

Face of fraudster !!! N1bn Jonathan’s campaign fund: EFCC quizzes ex-Skye Bank chair Ayeni

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed a former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, for alleged multiple fraud, including a controversial N1 billion donation to the campaign fund of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 by Aso Savings and Loans Plc.

The donation was said to be part of the ongoing probe of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsudeen.

Some of the infractions include alleged mismanagement of Skye Bank and the purchase of the N7.5bn ASO Grove Estate at the Maitama area of Abuja by the bank through the ex-minister.

It was learnt that Ayeni was also invited in connection with N16.46 billion which is individually owed Skye Bank and another N104.80 billion jointly owed Skye Bank and four other banks.

Investigation revealed that the interrogation of Ayeni, who was accompanied to EFCC’s office by his counsel, began on Thursday.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC invited Ayeni for interrogation following many petitions against him.

“The businessman has questions to answer over some questionable debts of Skye Bank Plc when he was the chairman of the bank.

“Out of about12,744 on the list of debtors released by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Skye Bank is individually owed a total of N16.46 billion and jointly owed N104.80 billion with four other banks.

“As the chairman of ASO Savings & Loans Plc, Ayeni has some issues to clarify over the purchase of the N7.5 billion ASO Grove Estate in Maitama District of Abuja by the bank through a former minister of FCT.

“Also, during his tenure in Aso Savings, about N1 billion was made available to the campaign fund of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.”

It was learnt that a June 2017 petition by one of the dropped nominees for ICPC board, Hajiya Maimuna Aliyu, provided new clues to the ongoing investigation of Ayeni.

The source said: “According to a petition we received from Maimuna Aliyu, Aso Savings took out N2 billion and gave Sen. Bala Mohammed as contributions to the Goodluck Campaign of 2011 and 2015 and the ex-Minister gave the bank 64 plots of land in Jahi District using phony/shell companies all registered.

“The petitioner alleged that the first tranche of N1billion went into Ayeni’s law firm’s account with Aso Savings while the second tranche went into Shamsudeen Bala’s company account called Trading Places with the same bank.”

When the status of the interrogation of Ayeni was sought, the source said: “He is still being interrogated over multiple cases of fraud.”

She also implicated Ayeni in land deal in Jahi area of Abuja during his tenure as the chairman of Aso Savings.

Maimuna Aliyu’s position statement added: “Part of the earlier investigations involved land allocations in Jahi area of Abuja when the bank was looking for ways to recover its N1bn donations to the campaign funds of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 elections through Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Hassan Usman, the Managing Director.

“The transaction was done through Tunde Olutoyi account. It was the reason Mr. Tunde Ayeni was detained by EFCC and still being investigated till date.

“The said lands were given to me to look for customers to buy them. I contracted them out to willing middlemen who would be able to dispose them off within a short period of time.

“The plots were slated for N19m each but those who sold them (not me) collected N23m per plot.

“ I have since discovered that my life is no longer safe in the hands of Mr. Tunde Ayeni and Hassan Usman, both of whom have sworn to get rid of me for exposing them.

“They will stop at nothing to drag me in and rubbish me, especially once they heard my name being nominated for the ICPC appointment. The facts of the matter speak for themselves.

“Having petitioned all the relevant agencies in the last two months, I am surprised that they have not swung into action.

“But the Police Force that has shown unwillingness to commence investigation on my petition, was quick to allegedly issue a report concerning their previous investigation on me without nothing to show for it, yet now curiously talking about indictment. How laughable.

“While thanking the Presidency for the opportunity of the nomination in the first place, I will pray that proper independent investigation be carried out by the Acting President to fathom out the real situation of things.” - The Nation

Kenya : Two shot dead in election protests

Kenyan police have shot and killed two people during riots by opposition supporters after President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner in national elections.

Leonard Katana, a regional police commander, said the deaths occurred on the outskirts of Kisumu, a city where opposition leader Raila Odinga has strong support.
Mr Katana said another five people were injured by gunfire in Kisumu.

Mr Kenyatta on Friday appealed for unity after the Kenyan election commission announced results following several days of vote-counting. Mr Odinga has alleged that the election was rigged.
Also on Saturday, Kenyan police opened fire to disperse opposition protesters who blocked roads and set up burning barricades in a slum in Nairobi, the capital. An Associated Press photographer saw police firing live rounds in the Mathare area. -AP

Transfer news : Klopp tells Alberto Moreno he won't be leaving this summer

Liverpool have had a change of heart on defender Alberto Moreno after the events of the pre-season.

The Reds had intended to let the Spaniard leave for around £15 million this summer but his improved performances, added to a few other circumstances, led to Jurgen Klopp changing his original plans.

As per a source close to the situation, Moreno himself wanted to leave the club as he thought his chances would be limited but Liverpool’s inability to sign Naby Keita, plus the injury to Adam Lallana, meant that James Milner was needed in midfield and as such, Moreno was told he would not be sold and that he was back in the first-team picture.

The transfer market is always fluid and situations can change but as it stands, Moreno will not be getting the move he originally wanted, although if he can get the chance to establish himself at Anfield, he will not push for what at one stage looked like an inevitable exit.

Klopp informed Moreno of his decision earlier this week, where he also told him that he would be starting the first game of the season against Watford. - Read Sport

PL : Arsenal's defensive concerns

Arsenal may have celebrated a sensational 4-3 comeback win over Leicester on Friday night - but familiar defensive concerns cannot be ignored if they have ambitions of returning to the top four and challenging for the Premier League, writes Peter Smith.

Each year, the new season comes with a feeling of a fresh start. But for Arsenal the same old problems at the back resurfaced in worrying fashion in their curtain raiser with Leicester.
While the game will be remembered for Alexandre Lacazette's debut strike and Olivier Giroud's roof-raising late winner, Arsenal's defensive failings were at the heart of all three Leicester goals.
Arsenal supporters and the on-looking injured Alexis Sanchez must have felt they'd seen it all before, as poor marking, positioning and organisation presented the visitors with three clear-cut chances they gladly seized.
The best and worst of this Arsenal team was encapsulated in the first five minutes.

Lacazette's stunning headed opener on two minutes underlined Arsenal's undoubted brilliance on the front foot; an attacking ability strengthened by the arrival of the club's record signing. The move was a precursor for the impressive, intricate and fast-flowing forays into the Leicester half that were to come all night; the Gunners finished the game with 27 shots at goal.
But Shinji Okazaki's equaliser 160 seconds after Lacazette's first for his new club highlighted a defensive deficiency which has dogged Arsenal for too long.

It was a frustrating feature for much of last season, until the spring-time switch to three at the back looked to have alleviated the problem. The tactical change helped to bolster Arsenal's backline, with an extra man in defence providing additional security from both set-pieces and open play.
It also freed up the Gunners' forwards, whose goals propelled the team to an end-of-season surge, culminating in an FA Cup final win.
But without the senior figures of Per Mertesacker, Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny, the Arsenal defence on Friday looked badly short of know-how.
Nacho Monreal, an attacking left-back by trade, was given the central role, flanked by Premier League debutant Sead Kolasinac - who is also more comfortable on the left - and 21-year-old Rob Holding. Their lack of experience in the complex system was plain to see and proved costly against an energised Leicester attack, eager to get at the unfamiliar combination.

Craig Shakespeare's side peppered the Arsenal penalty box with crosses. There were 14 of them from open play in the first 45 minutes alone. The Foxes also looked to unleash the pace of Jamie Vardy at every opportunity, teeing him up to run into the open spaces to the side of the wide centre-backs. Arsenal's defence couldn't cope.
The backline failed to deal with Marc Albrighton's cross or Harry Maguire's header across goal in the build-up to Okazaki's early equaliser, with Kolasinac guilty of wandering away from his back-post guard duty.

Vardy was then afforded far too much space by both the Bosnia international and Monreal for Leicester's second, after Holding had failed to block another Albrighton centre. The England man capitalised again in the second half when completely unmarked from a corner.
It was a recurring concern every time Leicester moved into the final third, with Arsenal's three at the back looking unacquainted.

Wenger switched to a back four midway through the second half as Arsenal sought to come back from 3-2 down, but with right-back Hector Bellerin at left-back, winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at right-back, and full-backs Monreal and Kolasinac at centre-half, the change hardly solved the confusion in Arsenal's defensive play.
Perhaps the most impressive part of Arsenal's thriving form towards the end of last season was that they had had little time to work on their new 3-4-2-1.

But after a full pre-season, knowing that was going to be the system of choice, and with plenty of time to prepare for the absence of suspended Koscielny, Mustafi (a late returner this summer after the Confederations Cup) and Mertesacker, who picked up a cut in last Sunday's Community Shield, the Arsenal defence seemed ill prepared in the line-up against Leicester.
"It's the same old problems, year in year out for Arsenal," said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. "The back three haven't looked comfortable all night.

"If you cut the team in half, attacking wise they look great on paper and they showed that with some intricate passing - it was outstanding at times. But at the other half of the pitch, there are big problems for Arsenal.
"Of course there are injuries to the two best centre backs. But even with those centre backs, they still conceded 44 goals last season, so it's not a great statistic. Arsene Wenger will be hoping those reinforcements will be back soon."
Fellow pundit Gary Neville agreed, describing Arsenal as "vulnerable" and "naive". "They showed no authority or organisation," he said. They're worrying observations.

Wenger will argue - and expect - the defending will improve when his first-choice centre-back options are fit and available. He said after the game that "with a bit of work we can get that [vulnerability from crosses and corners] out of our system". SKY

PL news : Wenger's love for Giroud

Arsene Wenger has praised Olivier Giroud after his winner against Leicester City on Friday night and confirmed the striker wants to stay at the club this season.

Giroud was once again a substitute as Arsenal kicked off the new Premier League season by coming from behind to beat Leicester 4-3 at the Emirates.
However, the France international came off the bench with a quarter of the game left to play to head home the Gunners' 85th-minute winner.
And Wenger expressed his delight for his compatriot, who had been linked with a return home to join Marseille in recent days.
"I love the man and the player because he is a fantastic guy, he is committed and loves the club and he does not want to leave and I am happy that he wants to stay," said Wenger

"But at some stage I opened the door for him because I knew that I had many strikers, but he is really loved here and we love him and in the end he decided to stay."
Despite Giroud's late winner, however, there were still a number of concerns for Wenger, especially at the back after his side conceded three times at home.
"The first goal was from a short corner and we were not focused enough and on the second goal we lost the ball in the build-up and got punished again," he said.

"We lacked a bit of experience and we had many experienced defenders out tonight like Per Mertesacker, Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny, so overall we looked much more solid defensively at the end of the season."
One positive for the Gunners was that they won without forward Alexis Sanchez after the Chilean missed the opening game of the campaign through injury.
New big-money signing Alexandre Lacazette led the line instead, scoring with his second touch in English football, but Wenger was nonetheless looking forward to Alexis' imminent return.
"Of course we have top-quality strikers coming back," he said.

"Aaron Ramsey - I did not want to take a chance with him tonight because he got injured in the first game of last season against Liverpool.
"So overall I am pleased that he could come on today and not be injured."


"I do not know how good everybody will be, that is the problem now in the league," he said.
"And on top of that you have six or seven teams who say they can win the league, which makes it interesting."
However, Wenger refused to be drawn on whether this win was proof his team could make a sustained challenge for the Premier League this season. - SKY

Na war ??? Militants order Hausa, Yoruba out of Niger Delta

Niger Delta militants have asked the Yoruba and northerners resident in the region to leave before October 1, 2017.

They have also threatened to resume attacks on oil installations and facilities in the region starting from September 10.
This was contained in a joint statement issued on Thursday by leaders of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (NDA) and which was titled ‘Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to resume attacks on September 10, 2017; Northerners, the Yoruba to leave Niger Delta before October 1, 2017’.

The statement was signed by John Duku, convener of the NDA, Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta volunteers); Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta warriors); Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta peoples fighters); Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi freedom fighters); and Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta movement for justice).
The coalition said its demand on 100 percent control of the resources in the region still stands.
It also asked the federal government to hand over all oil blocks owned by the northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes.
“After hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved as follows: To commence operation zero oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017, as a preparation for the actualisation of Niger Delta Republic,” the statement read.

“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.
“All oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate by October 1, 2017.
“All the multinational oil, gas, servicing and marine companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta, sign a new memorandum of understanding with Niger Delta people which will include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.

“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners/Yoruba in Niger Delta should be vacated before October 1, 2017.”
The group also described the recent meeting between the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as “a plot to deceive” the Niger Delta people.
It said the PANDEF delegation has no capacity, cannot solve the current crisis in the region and as such, cannot represent the militants or speak for the people.

“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred by the inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the agitating groups and youth leaders,” the statement further read.
“We will work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people” to work out new collective approach that will ensure “total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.

“We shall fight to liberate the region from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the south-east and Middle Belt.”
 - Cable Nigeria

Where is sit tight Yar'Adua ??? Resign If You’re Not Strong Enough, Bishops, Others Tell Buhari

Some bishops have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office because of his ill health.

The bishops also reprimanded the Presidency for persistently refusing to disclose Buhari’s health status, saying they were in support of protesters demanding the President’s resignation.
Since Monday, the ‘resume or resign’ protesters — backed by a popular artiste, Charles Oputa (also known as Charly Boy) — had accused Buhari’s handlers of holding him captive.

The protesters had also advised the President to demonstrate his “touted integrity” by resigning from office as it was evident he wasn’t physically fit to carry on the number one job in the country.
Speaking on Friday at the second session of the Twelfth Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Owo, the Bishop of Owo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. James Oladunjoye, asked Buhari to resign and give room for another person to do the job.
The bishop said the situation whereby the President had spent several months abroad had not helped the country, adding that it was wrong to conceal his (Buhari) health status as he was no longer a private person.


Oladunjoye said, “We thank God for the President and for the way he had been ruling according to the law, but there is something wrong that we want him to address.

“He has been ill for so many months in his tenure and so, is it not proper for the country to know his health condition as he is no more a private personality?
“He is public property and if he is not strong enough to continue as the leader of this country, it is better for him to resign so that another qualified individual can take up the office legitimately.”
Speaking based on his personal relationship with Oladunjoye, the Bishop of the Ibadan South Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Jacob Ajetunmobi, said his counterpart at the Owo Diocese was speaking based on the experience he (Oladunjoye) had.

Ajetunmobi said Oladunjoye had had accidents which forced the latter to consider early retirement, adding that if a cleric could be forced to retire early because of his health, the President should also be able to do so.
However, Ajetunmobi advised Buhari that should he decide not to resign, he should not contemplate running for the second term.
Ajetunmobi said, “He (Oladunjoye) had separate accidents that led to him suffering from a broken hand. He had taken treatment in Nigeria but had to travel to the United States for more treatment. He is now being forced to retire early before turning 70 as a result of that.

“He is speaking from personal experience that if health challenge will not permit him to function properly in his position, he would rather resign.
“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo should be able to carry on with the administration of Nigeria. Buhari was one of those calling for late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s resignation then, but now, he knows that what goes around comes around. We should be careful what we wish others.
“Here, I am a bit more radical in my opinion, but it is much more complex than we think. There are underpinning theological positions involved.”

Asking Buhari not to consider running for a second term, Ajetunmobi said, “Buhari has about one more year to spend as President, but he should not think of coming back for a second term. The All Progressives Congress should think along and restructure its leadership or be ready to fail in 2019.”
Also, the Catholic Bishop of Auchi Diocese in Edo State, Most Revd. Gabriel Dunia, told one of our correspondents that while the Constitution was silent about how long the President could be away after transferring his power to the Vice-President, an honest leader ought to voluntarily declare his inability to continue in office (when he is physically unfit).

Dunia said, “A sincere person who wants to sincerely help but can no longer perform his function should be able to say, ‘I cannot perform this function anymore.’
“So, there is no need pretending, unless the person is not honest. And if the person is not sincere, he is not out to help anybody. If I am helping somebody and I know that it is beyond my power to help again, I should be able to come out to say I cannot go further.”

Dunia also described the Presidency’s prolonged silence on Buhari’s health status as deceptive.
“That is deception; if they cannot tell Nigerians what is wrong with the President, who is their son, father, brother, and friend, then the children (Nigerians) should know what is wrong with their father,” he said.
The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Bishop Ransom Bello, indicated his support for the ‘resume or resign’ protest, insisting that it was high time the Presidency opened up on Buhari’s health status.

The General Overseer, Christ Alive Power Assembly, Bauchi, Pastor Emmanuel Kanti, said the Nigerian constitution should be allowed to take its course in that Buhari should resign because of his illness.
He said, “If the President is not strong enough to rule the country, he should give way to someone who is healthy and strong enough to rule the country.

“The number one citizen of a country shouldn’t conceal his health status and put the whole country in dilemma; I think it is unfair. If he’s unhealthy, he should give way to someone else and stop being a ghost President. But if he feels he’s okay, he should come back and continue ruling the country.
“In fact, the Presidency is playing on the intelligence of Nigerians and there is no reason whatsoever for doing that. They should just tell us the present state of our President.”

Also speaking to Saturday PUNCH, the leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Pastor Christmas Mark, asked President Buhari to honourably resign if he was not fit to rule the country on health grounds.
He said, “Nigerians have the right to protest in the sense that the President is not a secret position holder; it is not a position that is answerable to a community and inasmuch as he is the President of the country, he is answerable to the people. And the people want to see him at all costs.

“So, it is not right for the Federal Government to hide him. What they should have done is to set up a medical panel to know his health status. Nigerians do not want information (again); they want to see him.
“It can even be right for one to say that if he is not fit to rule, to ask him to resign is not out of place. The reason is that people want to see the person they elected. They voted for him to rule. - Punch