Thursday, 11 July 2019

Barcelona to announce Griezmann deal on Friday


Barcelona are hoping they can announce the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Friday, if everything goes as planned, Mundo Deportivo reports.

No delegates from either club will be present at LaLiga’s headquarters, but only a lawyer acting on behalf of Griezmann to pay his buy-out clause.

The France forwards’ release clause dropped from €200m (£180m) to €120m (£107m) on July 1.

Atletico Madrid Chief Executive Officer, Miguel Angel Gil, however believes Griezmann agreed terms with Barcelona in March when his release clause was still at €200m (£180m).

Barca will also not make any announcements, until officials at the LaLiga offices confirm all boxes have been ticked by both clubs.

Griezmann, meanwhile, is preparing to fly to Catalunya, where he will sign a five-year deal to stay at Camp Nou until 2024.

-  DAILY POST

It is criminal to deface Naira – CBN warns Nigerians


The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians to restrain from defacing the Naira, describing such act as criminal and an affront on national pride.

According to the apex bank, the Naira, like the National flag remains a symbol of Nigeria’s nationhood and sovereignty, hence the need to respect and preserve it.

The bank disclosed this on Thursday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital during a programme tagged ” CBN Fair” with the theme : Promoting Financial and Economic Stability ” which was specifically organised to sanitise the residents on some of CBN policies and programmes.

Speaking at the event, the Director, Corporate Communications Department of the bank, Mr Isaac Okorafor, who was represented by the Assistant Director in the department, Mr Samuel Okogbue said spraying of notes, squeezing and writing on it constitute grievous offences that attract penalty in the face of law.

He, however, emphasised the need to develop the local manufacturing industries and create employment for the teeming youths, as he implored residents to be conscious of indigenous goods and be patriotic enough to patronise it.

“We cannot continue to patronise foreign goods and expect the economy to grow to the extent of accommodating our teeming unemployed youths; we must start making our indigenous goods a priority in our choice of demand”.

He further explained the concept of ‘Anchor Borrowers’ Programme’ of the CBN as a way of reviving agriculture and initiating collaboration with anchor companies that are into production and processing of key agricultural commodities.

“The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme will help local farmers to increase production and supply of feedstock to processors, reduce importation and conserve Nigeria’s external reserves.

“Under the scheme, anchor firms serve as off-takers in recognition of their track record and experience in working with out-growers involve in production. The scheme involves a finance model whereby the anchor firms, CBN, NIRSAL and state governments organise the out-growers and ensure that they comply with contractual terms”, Okorafor said.

- DAILY POST 

NEXT LEVEL PRICE LOADING !! NNPC speaks on fuel scarcity, hike in price



The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has dispelled any rumours of fuel scarcity in the country.

The corporation further advised petroleum product consumers to disregard trending rumour of a planned hike in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The new NNPC boss, Mr. Mele Kyari, had Thursday disclosed that the petroleum price of N145 per litre obtainable in Nigeria was the cheapest in the West African sub-region.

Kyari spoke while submitting the revenue generated before the Senate.

NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement on Thursday, clarified that what the “NNPC GMD stated during his engagement with the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Lawan, at the National Assembly yesterday was that the price of petrol was abysmally low in Nigeria compared to what obtained in neighbouring West African countries.

“Mallam Kyari had observed at the event that the huge disparity in the pump price of petrol between Nigeria on the one hand and her neighbouring country, on the other hand, tended to encourage cross-border leakages, as he sought the support of the leadership of the National Assembly to curb the malaise of smuggling.

“He advised Nigerians from all walks of life to disregard the insinuation of a planned hike in the price of petrol by NNPC, saying statutorily, NNPC was not even in a position to regulate the price of petroleum products, advising that NNPC role as an operator must be differentiated from that of any of the Industry regulators.”

Ughamadu said that as directed by relevant agencies of the Government, the pump Price of petrol remains N145 per litre.

He cautioned petroleum products, marketers, not to sell petrol above N145 per litre following the disclaimed rumour.

“NNPC advised Nigerians to remain vigilant and volunteer information to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Industry regulator, or to any law enforcement agency around them, on any station which sells petrol beyond N145 per litre,” it added.

New York court orders ex-FIFA chief Jack Warner pay $79m

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Former FIFA vice president and North American regional football president Jack Warner has been ordered to pay $79 million in damages by a New York federal judge.

US District Court Judge William Kuntz issued the ruling by default after Warner did not on Tuesday contest a 2017 civil suit claiming he embezzled millions of dollars from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

Warner was accused of taking kickbacks from media rights deals for CONCACAF events and taking bribes regrding FIFA votes for hosting the 2010 World Cup that was awarded to South Africa.

CONCACAF intends to pursue Warner’s assets to recover damages, according to an attorney.

The 76-year-old is living in his home nation of Trinidad and Tobago while the United States pursues extradition.

Warner, who has denied any wrongdoing, was issued a life ban from national and international football in 2015 by FIFA’s ethics committee.

- PM NEWS

Apostle Suleiman decries inscription of herders in Nigeria passport


Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has described the inscription of herdsmen in the new Nigeria passport as a shameful act.

Apostle Suleiman who made the statement via his verified Twitter account on Thursday, disclosed that it was wrong to represent the 6 geopolitical zones of the country with a certain extraction.

He wrote: ”That’s the new Nigeria passport, it now has herdsmen inscribed in it. It’s shameful that a certain extraction now represents a nation with 6 geopolitical zones, everything is now very clear. God will frustrate every evil agenda in Nigeria. Job 5v12, Eccl 8v11.”


That's the new nigeria passport..it now has herdsmen inscribed in it…it's shameful that a certain extraction now represents a nation with 6 geopolitical zones..everything is now very clear..God will frustrate every evil agenda in nigeria.job 5v12,eccl 8v11. pic.twitter.com/HT3uLIDZSo

— Apst Johnson Suleman (@APOSTLESULEMAN) July 11, 2019

Apostle Suleiman further stated that he gets irritated when people believe comments against funalisation of Nigeria are been politicised.

“I get irritated when people say our speaking against fulanisation is political. Have you heard me complain of economy? of the increase of Nigeria debts? that’s for politicians to tackle but security is for all of us. Human life is sacrosanct.

“I love Fulanis, there are good ones with a great heart, very nice and loving Fulani men/women..but these herders are doing so much damage to that extraction,” he added.

- PM NEWS

Flood: Pregnant woman, 2 others dead in Jos


Three persons, including a pregnant woman, have been killed by flood that swept through some parts of Zinariya community in Jos.

The flood, which resulted from days of downpour, also brought down nine houses.

“The incident resulted from narrow waterways; the victims were asleep when the rain started, but with the water soaking up foundations of their buildings, the structures collapsed on them,” Sani Bello, a relation of the victims, said on Thursday.

According to him, the water washed the bodies of the three deceased away.

“My pregnant elder sister, who was on a visit from Naraguta, a nearby community, was among the people washed away by the flood.

“We have found her body and buried it. There is also a lady with a broken leg who has been taken to the hospital.

“Another victim, one Ibrahim, who is seven years old, also sustained injuries and has been taken to the hospital,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Istifanus Gyang (PDP/Plateau North), has visited the area to commiserate with the people.

Gyang, who was represented by an aide, Daniel Dem, promised to assist the area with resources to rebuild their homes and map out waterways.

He also offered financial assistance to the affected families and urged the community to stop building houses along waterways so as to avoid a recurrence.

The Ward Head of the community, Mallam Yahaya Abubakar, who received the items, commended the Senator for his show of concern.

“You are the first government official to come to the aid of my community. May God continue to bless you for this kindness,” he said.

He regretted the damage caused by perennial flooding in the area, and urged government to take urgent measures to mitigate that.

One of the beneficiaries of Gyang’s gesture, Malam Mohammed Kamilu, while appreciating the kindness, said that the money would be of great assistance to the victims.

“Some of the victims lost practically everything. This assistance will help them to restart life all over again,” he said.

- PM NEWS

Husband means master, not male partner in marriage – Chris Oyakhilome

Nigerians on social media have been left divided over a video which shows Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy saying that “husband means master”, and “not the male partner in a marriage” as widely held today.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome made this known while giving a sermon to his congregation on marriage.

The clergyman warned wives against opposing their husband in public, which he says is a sign that they do not recognize the anointing of God’s spirit.

“Do you know the meaning of husband?”, he asked.

“I think some of you don’t know. You think husband means the male partner in a marriage.

  Chris Oyakhilome went on to define what husband truly means, which made his congregation give a loud cheer in approval of his words.

“Husband does not mean the male partner in a marriage. Husband means master. That’s what it means, not the male partner in a marriage”.

He added that the failure to acknowledge the role of the husband is “the reason there are problems among Christians in their marriage”.

“Marriage in Christianity for most people is just a flop. Why? Because they don’t 

agree with God’s definition, they have theirs. They believe they are equal partners”.

He went on to give an instance of how the position of a husband is disregarded today.

“Listen to two people that have just gotten married. A lot of times, it’s the woman that speaks first”.

He continued by revealing the reason why God made woman.

“If you want to live according to the Bible, according to the scriptures, then understand what the word says. The reason God made woman was because of man. He made the woman because of the man, that’s why he made the woman. So, woman was not his original idea”, he said.

Speaking on the biggest problem women have today in regards to marriage, the clergyman said:

“If most women had their father bold enough to talk to them, they’ll be very successful in their marriage and they’ll be very happy people. Most women have never been taught by their parents, their fathers particularly. That’s their biggest problem. They don’t know who a man is. They think he’s another woman. You see, in a marriage, you have the man who is the head of that union. And because he’s the head of that union, it is important to understand him. Now, you think “he’s the one that needs to understand his wife”. That is where you are wrong. He will, but until you know who you have married”.

The sermon which was applauded by some social media users was however labeled as archaic by some who questioned why his own marriage ended in divorce. See screenshots below.

- PM NEWS