PL latest : Guardiola escapes FA disciplinary action

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager has been reminded of his responsibilities by the Football Association (FA) but will not face disciplinary action over his on-field confrontation with Southampton winger Nathan Redmond.

 Guardiola was involved in a seemingly heated conversation with Redmond after City won their Premier League match 2-1 on Wednesday, wrapping his arm around the player and slapping him on the chest, leading to speculation over what was said.

The Catalan told the media afterwards that he simply praised the winger's ability, and questioned why he was not allowed to attack.

"I was telling Nathan Redmond how good he is at the end. Southampton have some super talented players, Redmond is so good one against one," he said.

"But they didn't want to play, they were time wasting from the ninth minute. I just wanted them to play."

That means that Guardiola will be able to take to the touchline for his side's derby clash with Manchester United this Sunday.

City are currently eight points clear of Jose Mourinho's men, having defeated West Ham United 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.

Redmond downplayed the incident, insisting it was "all praise" in a statement posted on Twitter, and the FA has now opted against punishing the 46-year-old.

More Nigerians stranded in deportation camp in Asia - Deportee

An Ebonyi state indigene who was recently deported from India has called on the Federal government to widen the scope of its repatriation project to cover not only Nigerians stranded in Libya but also those held in deportation camps in Asian countries such as India and Malaysia.

Mr. Chukwudi Onu who was recently deported for having issues with his traveling documents, explained that at least One thousand Five Hundred Nigerians were languishing in deportation camp in India.

Narrating his predicament to Leadership, Mr Onu who hails from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State lamented that his wife and three kids are still stranded in India following his arrest and deportation in May this year.

“ I ve been living in India for the past six years, I travelled with my family in December 2011 and on May 15th, I was arrested by Indian Immigration Police over expired visa, from there to deportation camp where I spent over a month before I was deported to Nigeria.”

Mr Onu said Indian government had become hostile to Nigerians recently, alleging that even those with valid passports were most times arrested and hauled into deportation camp, only to be released after their papers must have been verified.

He noted that so many Nigerians in the camp had been there for over one year without any hope of returning as they had not been able to raise money for their tickets.

“ yes there were over one thousand five hundred Nigerians, because in my room I think we were about sixty something and they have over twenty one rooms, there are places for Pakistanis and Afghanistans, I think I saw one Polish and an Australian, but the population of Nigerians is twenty to one of other Nationals.”

Mr Onu explained that his family had been kicked out of their apartment over unpaid bills and could not go to deportation camp because of the harsh treatment being meted out to Nigerians.

“my family are staying in an open church, even to raise money for their air tickets is an uphill task for me. I have been reaching out to the government and Nigerian High Commission in India. Right now, I am appealing to Ebonyi State government because am from Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area and well-meaning Nigerians to help me rescue my family.”

The deportee said he was worried about the condition of his family as Indian weather presently is too cold noting that he was paying eight hundred dollars for their rent from Nigeria until he ran out of cash.

He stated that air ticket for his wife and three kids from New Delhi India to Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu would cost a total of four thousand dollars but would prefer tickets.

“ Each ticket from New Delhi to Enugu is about three hundred and twelve thousand multiplied by four is about One point two million Naira but I have been able to raise about two hundred thousand Naira by myself, am only appealing to Federal and Ebonyi State governments as well as well meaning Nigerians to assist.I don’t really need the cash, if tickets are bought from any travelling Agency, I will send it to them.

“I run a restaurant in New Delhi, CJ African Restaurant as well as Medical Tourism Management Business to help those on medical trip with necessary logistics.”

Mr Onu however blamed himself for his travail pointing out that he failed to renew his papers because he travelled with a medical VISA which required that he returns to Nigeria before applying for a permanent visa. - Leadership

Victoria Beckham admits plastic surgery regrets

The fashion designer, Victoria Beckham  – who is believed to have had more than one operation to enlarge her breasts – says she wishes she hadn't 'messed with [them]'.

Beckham is the latest celebrity to admit that she regrets getting plastic surgery. 

'I should probably say, don't mess with your boobs,' Beckham wrote in a letter addressed to her younger self for the October 2016 issue of British Vogue. 'All those years I denied it – stupid. A sign of insecurity. Just celebrate what you've got.'

She is not the only A-lister to have gone under the knife and regretted her decision. Last year, during an appearance on the Bear Grylls television show, the American actress Courteney Cox admitted that she wishes she hadn't had surgery to try and prolong her youthful looks.

The designer is said to have had her first boob job in 1999, followed by another in 2006, before finally getting them reduced in 2009 and telling US Vogue, 'Torpedo bazookas, gone!'

Shocking !!! Instagram friend rapes UNILORIN student, takes her nude photo

A University of Ilorin female student (name withheld), has narrated how a man she met on Instagram drugged, had sex and took her nude pictures in a Lagos hotel.

Crying profusely while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ilorin, the lady said she met the man through social media network (Instagram), where the relationship started.

“He asked for a relationship which I was reluctant to accept but I accepted.

“I met him for the first time in Lagos when I was on holiday. He later invited me to an hotel in Ojo area of Lagos, that was when I met him for the second time.

“It was when I was preparing to return to school, so he demanded sex which I turned down.

“He promised me N15,000 and transferred it to me, we had a drink but I noticed I was dizzy.

“So it was when one of the hotel waiters brought a condom that I started to cause a scene before people came to my rescue.

“Later that day, he called and threatened to send my nude pictures he took to my Daddy, I was surprised how he got my father’s number.

“It was because of the threat that I had to go to him again to have sex and to ask him delete all the pictures but he again said he had video of when we were having sex.

“I couldn’t confront my parents because I was scared and told my pastor, so it was my pastor that reported the matter to the police,” the Unilorin student said.

She described the man as a devil who had taught her a painful lesson.

Confirming the incident, Kwara police spokesman, Ajayi Okasanmi, said that the suspect was arrested but escaped during interrogation.

“We invited the suspect to Ilorin with the help of the lady he was threatening.

“We arrested him and seized the phone which has the nudes pictures.

“So, we asked an officer to go and search where he lodged in Ilorin only for him to escape in the process and we have not seen him till date,” Okasanmi explained.

Okasanmi said that the suspect later went on social media claiming that he collected money from him

The Kwara Police spokesman challenged the suspect to come out and sue him if his claims were true. - PM News

Daddy Freeze blasts Apostle Suleman, reminds him of failed prophecy

Popular On Air Personality, OAP, Daddy Freeze has reminded Apostle Suleman of his failed prophecy when he once said the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai would die in 2 weeks time.

Freeze was reacting to Suleman’s declaration that he has increased his tithe from 10% to 30%.

Apostle Suleman had in twitter post on Saturday said he had increased his tithe payment to 30 per cent, adding that “Satan should go and die.”

The OAP said he was now referred to as a Satan for holding his ground on the issue of tithing by pastors, while maintaining that 30% tithe payment had no basis in Christianity.

He wrote on Instagram, “Satan should go and die is now the new biblical defense for tithing?

“The association of Nigerian Theologians, according to ‘The Point’ newspaper, published on the 20th of November 2017, declared that Christians should not pay tithe.

“I will say that paying 30% tithe has NO basis in Christianity, but you can prove me wrong, by showing me one bible verse where our new High priest under the order of Melchizedek, Jesus, paid tithe, or where the disciples, our first pastors and GOs, paid 30% tithes.

“Now, unto other unrelated matters, that’s how one guy said one gov will die in 2 weeks and the gov is still hale and hearty, nearly 2 years later!” - Daily Post

Mega city : Lagos residents protest 4-month power outage

Residents of Ijegun-Imore community in Satellite Town, Lagos State on Monday protested four months of power outage in the area by Eko Electricity Distribution Company ( EKEDC ).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hundreds of placard-carrying protesters from David West New Site Estate blocked their major road, preventing motorists from passing through the area.

Osuchukwu Sam-Bell, Chairman, Landlords/Residents Association, said the community had been in darkness since August due to a transformer fault.

“We want our transformer repaired and restored, we need prepaid meters; EKEDC should come and install our new 500kva transformer now,’’ he said.
Mr Zubby Anazodo, one of the affected residents, said business activities had been paralysed in the area due to the four-month outage.
“Artisans are out of business, people selling frozen foods have closed their shops, it is no longer business as usual in the community again.
“Our children are suffering, you see them with heat rashes and even our wives cannot preserve foods inside refrigerators any longer.
“We can’t sleep in our houses comfortably with the noise of generating sets and harsh weather.
“It is unfortunate that we are going through this while our neighbouring communities are enjoying uninterrupted power supply, this is injustice,’’ he said.
Arazodo appealed to EKEDC to repair the transformer and restore power supply to the community ahead of the Christmas festivities.

When contacted, EKEDC spokesman, Mr Ademola Adegoke, said the company had replaced the transformer servicing the community twice but packed up on both occasions.
“This was caused by the power load in the community which far outstrip the capacity of the transformer.
“The only way to save the transformer from breakdown is to rotate power supply but the community will not allow our men to do this as our men were always harassed and chased out each time they went there for load shedding,’’ he said.

The EKDC official said that the company was finding it difficult to install the new transformer because of the huge cost involved.
“We pleaded that we should be given sometime so we can include the cost of installation in our budget but the community is insisting on immediate installation of the transformer.

“We even proposed to use the transformer donated to by the state government to replace the damaged one pending when we will get materials to install the damaged one.
“The community yet again rejected this move and insisted that we must replace the damaged one and as well install the one donated in a fresh location,’’ he said.

Adegoke said that EKEDC was prioritising their matter and assured that electricity would be restored in the area before the Christmas holidays. - The Nation

OMG !!! 44-year-old Man killed during mother’s funeral in Benin city

One  man identified as Dupe Idahor has been killed by unknown gunmen at the burial ceremony of his late mother, Deconess Taiwo Albert.

This sad incident happened last Friday at number 2, 4th Nosayaba lane, Off Nosayaba Street, Off TV Road, Benin City, at about 9:00 p.m.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed the venue of the burial ceremony and shot the deceased at close range.

The eyewitnesses said the gunmen abandoned the vehicle with which they came to the place and escaped with another car belonging to the victim’s friend.

The victim's sister, who refused to give her name, said their late mother was buried on Saturday morning and claimed that her brother was set up by one of his friends.

Policemen from the local Police Division recovered the snatched vehicle the next day.

The victim’s 82- year- old mother who was lying in state was abandoned as family members scampered for safety during the incident.

All musicians that were hired to perform at the ceremony hurriedly packed their musical instrument and left.

Shocking !!! Adekunle Ajasin University undergraduate arrested for beheading mother

A 25-year-old undergraduate of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Joseph Mark, has been arrested by the Osun State police command for allegedly beheading his mother on Sunday.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Folashade Odoro, confirming the incident told newsmen in Osogbo that the incident happened at about 6:30 am, at No 25, Zone 5, Ajetomobi Street, Eko-Ende Road, Ikirun, Osun.

According to Odoro, the incident was reported to Ikirun Divisional Police station by the father of the suspect, Mr Adewale Mark.

Odoro explained that, ” The father left his house around 5:30 a.m. to visit his friend at the next street and on returning home at about 6 a.m., he discovered that his son had cut off his wife’s head with a cutlass.

“The culprit who was suspected to be insane, was arrested when the team of police detectives visited the scene of the crime.

“Exhibits including medical examination of the suspect, weapon used and photographs of the scene and victim were taken by the police.

“The corpse of the victim, Mrs Christianah Mark, 62, had been deposited at mortuary and that further investigation on the matter had begun.” - Daily Post

''Grand commander of corruption'', IBB ‘frightened’ PDP chairmanship could be bought by highest bidder

Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state, says he’s worried that the position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman could be “procured by the highest bidder”.

The opposition party’s chairman will be elected by delegates during its national convention on Saturday.

In a statement released by Kassim Afegbua, his media adviser, IBB warned the party against repeating the mistakes of the past.

He said the electoral process must be bereft of manipulation, inducement, selfish and egocentric interest.

Babangida advised the party stakeholders to “tread on the path of caution and common sense”, and to not forget the PDP’s recent “avoidable political crisis”.

THE FULL STATEMENT

“In the countdown to the convention; as founding fathers and stakeholders, we need to collectively assure Nigerians and our teeming members that we have indeed learnt our bitter lessons.

“Following the defeat of the party in the 2015 election, it is incumbent upon us as leaders and stakeholders to use the opportunity of the convention to soberly reflect on the challenges confronting us, identify our flaws and seek plausible ways to correct them in order to come out stronger in subsequent elections.

“An elective convention presents, as it were, a rare opportunity and veritable platform to elect in a holistic manner a credible, tested, down-to-earth and truly urbane candidate with enough stamina, distinguished character and national acceptability who is driven by incurable optimism and passion for a united Nigeria.

“At this point of our political history as a party, we need a National Chairman who is driven by uncommon initiatives, creativity in ideas and a rich content of character to lead and stabilise the party in line with the laudable ideals of the founding fathers of the party.

“Such an individual must possess national recognition to be able to galvanise political opportunities and transform them into tangible outcomes in our democratic engagements.

“When we were conceptualising the idea of the PDP at formation, we had in mind a party that offers platform for all Nigerians in their pursuit of legitimate political aspirations.

“In any democratic engagement, the people decide the outcome of elections through popular and inclusive participation. The monetisation of our electoral process is disturbingly eroding that power which should ordinarily reside in the people.

“In the last few days, I get frightened by the monetary consideration that is likely to dictate who emerges as the National Chairman of our great party rather than what the people truly want. The discussion is more on the side of heavy monetisation of the process and ultimate ‘procurement’ of the position of the Chairman by the highest bidder.

“This approach, in my humble view, defeats the whole essence of participation, free choice and voting which are the essential attributes of any democracy without inducement and outright manipulation. I wish to plead that we tread on the path of caution and common sense, conscious of our recent history of avoidable political crisis.

“At 76, and given the benefit of hindsight, my role both in context and content; is now more of advisory one to enhance any altruistic democratic process to elect credible leadership at various levels of representation.

“Rather than de-monetise the electoral process to provide ample room for more citizens’ participation, the idea of monetising the process and trying to ‘procure’ party positions defeats merit, offends good conscience and blurs fair play.

“At this critical stage of our political secretions, we need men of stature, discipline, character and commendable conduct to breathe fresh air into our party and not persons whose political relevance is the product of naira and kobo bargain across the counter.

“We need a National Chairman that would not bend to the vagaries of individual selfish interest but one who is strong enough to apply the rule of law without fear or favour. We must begin the process of interrogating processes that lead to outcomes and not just the outcomes.

“We must interrogate our leadership recruitment process and encourage our delegates to exercise the power of their thumbs in making their preferred choice among the candidates.

“On the strength of this, I wish to make a passionate appeal to our members, party leaders and the members of the Convention Committee to be fair and just to all, and allow the process to produce a National Chairman that would truly represent the conscience of the party.

“I do subscribe to the idea that consensus building, collective bargaining and constructive engagement are some of the ingredients that nurture any democratic process; such ingredients should be given enough room to flourish in order to birth credible and truly representative leadership.

“Our party, the PDP, must re-invent and re-enact itself on account of her recent history of factions and fractures. The new leadership must therefore be one that enjoys the confidence of the majority stakeholders and members in order to have a seamless transition.

“To achieve this template, such a chairman must be the outcome of delegates’ election without manipulation and inducement.

“One would have thought that after the 2015 dismal outing, followed by months of leadership tussles, individuals would have put to rest their selfish and egocentric interest and pursue goals and objectives that bear true testimony to the ideals of the founding fathers; but the sound bites of monetization of the process are utterly demoralizing and benumbing.

“It is my strong belief therefore that leaders of the party irrespective of their political interest would allow reason and level playing field to prevail in the overall interest of the party. I wish the party a successful and peaceful convention on Saturday 9th December, 2017.” - Cable Nigeria

Looting machine !!! Turai Yar’Adua’s N10b Abuja cancer centre abandoned

Residents of Abuja have called for a revamp of the cancer centre project that was championed by former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s wife Turai for health delivery to the vulnerable in the country.

On July 18, 2009, she assembled the Nigerian rich and government contractors to a fundraising in Abuja, which was also attended by her usually taciturn husband, who was battling some complicated diseases at the time.

Financial pledges made by the galaxy of guests to actualise her dream amounted to N6.8 billion.

The International Cancer Centre, (ICC) Abuja was born.

But since then, apart from the imposing structure on the Umaru Yar’Adua Express Road, the project is now virtually abandoned, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN).

One of the security guards at the ICC, who simply identified himself as Garba confirmed the abandonment.

He said there had been no activities to actualise the centre, as envisioned by Turai Yar’Adua.

According to him, Turai came two times in 2016 to the site. She had not been seen around the area since then.

“We have not seen her this year, but some people often come around to see the progress of the place,” he said.

Garba said some bandits invaded the ICC last year to disposess them of their valuables, adding that few items belonging to the centre were also stolen..

He added that some policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had since been deployed to secure the ICC against further attacks.

“Six of us were employed to secure this place and we do alternate, but because the bandits were fully armed, they overpowered us and beat the security guards.

The desolate centre was more palpable at a park for scores of tricycles meant to be conveying patients. Weeds have swamped the tricycles.

Worried by the delay in completing the ICC, one the residents of Abuja, Mr. Gabriel Oluwabunmi, berated those responsible for the abandoned project, adding that such noble idea that could bring relief to the masses, should have been completed without the usual hiccup.

He called on the authorities to ensure that the project was resuscitated, adding that such cancer centre would help bring succour to those ravaged by the disease and especially those who could not afford to be flown abroad.

Miss Ngozi Chukwuma, whose relative is suffering from the cancer, called on the Federal Government to ensure the completion of the centre to enable Nigerians who could not afford overseas treatment to patronise it.

She said such project would go a long way in assuaging the feeling of Nigerians who could not afford the treatment as a result of heavy monetary demand.

Mrs. Yar’adua had in her speech during the launch of the centre said the whole idea of establishing the cancer centre was conceived out of her desire to contribute her quota to achieving standard healthcare delivery for the vulnerable.

According to her, the centre would specifically render services to women and children, especially the rural and urban poor.

When NAN visited the National Hospital Abuja, which is offering an alternative treatment to cancer patients, the staff appeared so overwhelmed with the huge number of cancer patients.

A cancer patient who craved anonymity called on the Federal Government to assist in revamping the centre, adding that this would go a long way in decongesting the national hospital from cancer patients with special attention.

Mr. Mohammed Lawal, an Abuja based businessman, called on the government not to abandon the centre, adding that though it was a private initiative; the government could also intervene to revamp it.

The ICC, according to its promoter, was meant to focus on four types of cancer that account for most deaths in Nigeria: cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and throat cancer. - The Nation