Football: Eberechi Eze Signs For Crystal Palace |The Source

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August 28, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigerian born Eberechi Eze who played for Queens Park Rangers, QPR, in the England Championship League last season has signed for Barclays English Premier League Side, Crystal Palace Football Club.

Crystal Palace completed the signing of the QPR forward, Eberechi Eze, on a five-year deal worth £19.5 million.

The highly-rated England Under-21 international started every Championship game, and scored 14 goals for QPR last season.

Eze will boost Roy Hodgson’s misfiring attack ahead of the new campaign.

Only relegated Norwich (26) scored fewer goals than Palace (31) in last season’s Premier League.

Palace host Southampton in their first top flight game on September 12.

Eze, 22, said: “As a football club, I feel like there are great players here and it’s a brilliant opportunity for me to come and be with these players, to link up with them and to really push on.”

Crystal Palace Chairman, Steve Parish, said: “Eberechi is a player whose development we have followed closely.

“We are delighted he has chosen to sign for us over the other clubs that were interested.

“We feel that this is the right club for him to continue his development.”

Alleged Corruption: UK Government May Confiscate Ibori’s £117m Properties |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 28, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Delta State Governor, James Onanefe Ibori, is disturbed following the alleged move by the United Kingdom Government to Confiscate Properties, worth £117m linked to him.

The UK government said the properties are proceeds from loot. Ibori appeared before the court on Thursday, via video link.

Ibori, who governed Delta from 1999 to 2007, had reportedly pleaded guilty at London’s Southwark Crown Court in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering, and thereafter, received a 13-year jail sentence.

According to London’s Metro newspaper, prosecuting counsel, Jonathan Kinnear, listed assets laundered by the former governor.

Kinnear said the London Metropolitan Police found that Ibori used the money he, allegedly, stole from Delta State to buy six houses in London.

“He paid £2.2m in cash for one of those mansions in Tony Hampstead.

“He also bought a £13m jet, a £600,000 fleet of Range Rovers, and a £120,000 Bentley.

“Ibori put his children in expensive British private schools while sharing the stolen funds with his wife, sister and mistress.

“He also traveled all over the world, staying in the most expensive hotels and spending lavishly in luxury stores.”

But Ivan Krolick, representing Ibori, said his wealth was down to being a ‘successful businessman’.

In 2018, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said Ibori was fighting tooth and nail to stall the confiscation of those assets.

The anti-graft commission also accused him of employing media propaganda to paint himself as a victim of persecution.

Tragedy: Two Die, As Helicopter Crash In Ikeja Residential Area |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 28, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

There was pandemonium in the Opebi Area of Lagos, as a helicopter crashed into a Residential Area. The crash happened about 12.00 noon, Friday, killing two of the, reportedly, three passengers on board. The third was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State Teaching Hospital. It is not known yet if anybody died on ground.

The chopper, owned by Quorom Aviation, took off from Port Hacourt, and was headed for Lagos. It was in Lagos already, when the accident happened.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said that the injured person has been resuscitated and rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for urgent attention.

Also, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) said that the incident occurred around 12 noon at the Salvation Bus Stop in Opebi area of the state.

AIB Spokesperson, Tunji Oketunbi, said that personnel of the Bureau have been drafted to the scene of the incident to ascertain its cause.

At the time of going to press, details of the crash were still being expected.

Ondo 2020: Business Mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim, Mobilise NURTW For Gov. Akeredolu’s Re- Election |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 28, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

True to his words to support the re election bid of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo state born business mogul, Jimoh Ibrahim has donated campaign materials for voters’ mobilization.

Ibrahim, who presented the materials to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), charged them to work for the actualisation of the second term bid of Governor Akeredolu.

According to him, the second term election of Governor Akeredolu is a project worth investing in, for the consolidation of the current developmental strides across the state.

He stated that the governor has given the State the best of service delivery, having improved on the well-being of the people through iconinic dividends of good governance.

He commended the Governor for the transformation of the entire landscape of the state with landmark and monumental projects.

Chief Ibrahim, a traditional title holder from Osooro, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, urged the drivers to help cascade the re-election messages of Arakunrin to the voting public through their respective families and passengers by agreeing to brand their vehicles with the provided printed materials and use of over 500,000 face-shields he donated to them.

In his welcome address the State Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Mr Jacob Adebo, said members of NURTW have no choice than to support the governor as they are the major beneficiaries of the massive road construction policy of the Akeredolu Administration across the state.

While advising his fellow members to be committed to the re-election project of Governor Akeredolu, the NURTW Chairman, populary known as Idajo, stated that victory for the governor would represent the continuity of better life for the people of the state.

In his remarks, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi, appreciated the gesture of Chief Jimoh Ibrahim for being a pillar of support for his administration from onset till date.

The governor equally commended the commercial drivers’ operators, who are members of the NURTW, for being supportive of his administration and for conducting their affairs peaceful.

Akeredolu assured the people of continuous delivery of excellent services to improve their well-being.

CBN Pegs Forex Sales To BDC, Moves To Salvage Naira |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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August 28, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged naira exchange rate at 386 units to the United States dollar, in what stakeholders consider a move to arrest the naira from further sliding southwards.

The apex bank has also resumed the weekly forex sales to Bureau de Change, BDC operators from next Monday, August 31.

In the new regime, the volume of sale to each market is $10,000 per BDC, while trading will be done on Monday and Wednesday, according to a circular from the government bank.

The Godwin Emefiele led CBN had on March 25 announced the suspension of forex sale to BDCs as parts of measures aimed at reducing person-to-person contact and curbing the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The measure, experts say has brought untold hardship to those in need of forex to transact business thus putting pressure on the National Currency, leading to thriving business for market speculators.

The forex sales to BDC will remove those bottlenecks and enhance more access for those that really need foreign currency, the CBN said in a circular on Thursday.

According to the document signed by O.S. Nnaji, director of trade and exchange department, the apex regulator said forex sales to BDCs will enhance accessibility for travelers.

CBN said “Please be advised that the applicable exchange rate for the disbursements of proceeds of IMTOs for the period Monday, August 31 to Friday, September 04, 2020, is as follows: IMTSOs to banks: N382/$1; Banks to CBN: N383/$1; CBN to BDCs: N384/$1; BDCs to end-users : Not more than N386.

The apex bank directs the BDC “to ensure that their accounts with the banks are duly funded with the equivalent naira proceeds on Fridays and Tuesdays.”

The bank “shall continue to sell foreign currencies for travel-related invisible transactions to customers and non-customers over the counter upon presentation of relevant travel documents (passport, air ticket and visa),” the circular said.

Kano: Tofa, Others Warn Ganduje Against N300 bn Chinese Loan |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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August 28, 2020

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By Fola James

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is under fire again, this time from his own people, over his government plans to borrow a whopping N300 billion from the Peoples’ Republic of China.

The state’s helmsman almost lost his re-election last year after a video, where he purportedly bribed a contractor working for his goverment, went viral.

Another trouble appears to be brewing in ancient city after some respected Kano Elders, led by Bashir Tofa, petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari to stop their governor from mortgaging the future of their children in his quest to obtain a loan from the communist country.

Tofa, recall was the presidential candidate of defunct National Republican Convention, NRC who hardly dabbles into local politics.

But his group, the Kano Unity Forum, in the petition to the president, expressed serious condemnation by the state government to obtain the loan from the China Development Bank to construct phase 1 component of Light Mono Rail project in the State Metropolis.

The elders said they are more worried that the details of the loan have been a close guarded secret because “save for few in official circles, nobody else knows the terms and conditions of the loan agreement”, apart from the fact that “the exact amount being borrowed is shrouded in secrecy.

The Elders said the loan is a misplaced priority for the Governor Ganduje-led government, which should pay attention to other critical sectors that would benefit the people of the state more.

According to them “A 1st Phase of the project costing Over N300 Billion, or maybe even the N828 Billion mentioned by others, coming mostly from a foreign loan is mind-boggling, to say the least. A rethink is not only needed but necessary.

“Based on the analysis of the present indebtedness of Kano State as provided for by the Debt Management Office, DMO Nigeria, it is extremely difficult, almost impossible for Kano State to sustain any indebtedness beyond the current liability portfolio of the state.

It needs to be noted that a rail project is never a project to be put in haste as we observed that it is neither in the medium nor long term plans of the State Government. “If indeed the Chinese want to genuinely help with cheap loans, they should be requested to support critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, power, science and technology, infrastructure, industry, and water supply.”

They also warned the government from worsening the rate of poverty in the state by taking a foreign loan.

“Kano Unity Forum would not give any self-serving politician the latitude to increase poverty and deprivation within the general public through ill-conceived public works,” the Elders said.

Jonathan Proud Of Adesina, Congratulates Him On Re-Election As AfDB Boss |The Source

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The Source

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August 27, 2020

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Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has congratulated Dr. Akinwumi Adesina over his re-election as the President of the African Development Bank by the Board of Governors of the Bank.

In a goodwill message Dr. Adesina, the former President noted that the AfDB boss recorded significant achievements in his first tenure and urged him to do more to ensure that the impact of the Bank’s development initiatives is felt across the continent.

Below is the text of the goodwill message:

“I congratulate Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on his re-election as the President of the African Development Bank by the Board of Governors of the Bank.

“I am proud of Dr. Adesina because he has remained consistent as a man of vision and considerable capacity; traits he generously put to use while serving as a key member of our administration’s economic team and Minister of Agriculture.

“His first term as President of AfDB brought about exemplary leadership, significant achievements and broken records, especially with the bank’s recent unprecedented capital increase by 125% to $208 billion.

“With his re-election and focus on infrastructural development, youth empowerment and regional integration, I believe that AfDB will continue to strongly reflect the voice, vision and aspirations of the founding fathers of the Bank.

“I urge him to deploy his astute managerial skill to ensure that the positive impact of the Bank’s development initiatives is felt across the continent.”

Adesina was re-elected to a second term in office on Thursday by the AfDB’s Board of Governors.

Before his stint at the Bank, he was the Minister for Agriculture and a member of the Economic Team, under the President Goodluck Jonathan Government.

Messi Arrives England, As Manchester City, Chelsea Jostle For His Signature |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 27, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Lionel Messi is set for a new adventure in his football career.

Few days after announcing his desire to quit Barcelona, putting the Catalan giants in disarray, Messi has arrived England looking for potential suitors to pitch his tent with.

Coach Pep Guardiola of Manchester City Football Club who had coached and tutored Messi through the Barcelona ranks could reunite the relationship between the duo, as the Manchester side is set to hijack the deal.

The Barcelona Football Club Management Board are in a fix following the demand by six-time World Footballer of the Year, Lionel Messi, for the Club to terminate his contract and yesterday announced that the Argentine could leave.

However, Barca insisted that the clause expired in June, which would mean either Messi or City would have to pay the player’s £630million release clause at the club.

Messi is currently in Manchester, United Kingdom, with his father Jorge Messi, negotiating with Manchester

Just yesterday, Barcelona unveiled new signing from Sporting Braga, Claudio Trincao.

The 20-year Portuguese striker was bought to boost the squad ahead of next season.

The Argentine has refused to play for the Club and is not ready to join the team for their Pre-Season camping.

Messi bluntly declared that he was not ready to play under new Barcelona Coach, Ronald Koeman.

The Argentina born football great has played all his life at the Blaugrana Club, and is bent for a new life outside Spain.

The 33-Year decided to call it quits with his Childhood Club side following the 8-2 annihilation of the team by Bayern Munich at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals match in Portugal.

This was however the last stroke that broken the Camel’s back.

With the new Manager, Koeman telling Barcelona and Uruguayan forward, Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal, Samuel Umtiti and Ivan Rakitic to leave the Club as they his not part of his plan in the rebuilding process.

According to Marca Newspaper in Spain, the Barcelona captain has told the club to terminate his contract, so he can leave as a free agent

Messi is understood to have told the Catalans, to activate a clause in his contract, which allows him to leave the club at the end of the season.

However, both parties have disagreed over when the season actually finished.

Barca feels the clause could only be activated by the end of June, while Messi feels the campaign ends in August.

According to Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, this is likely to result in a standoff and Messi refusing to undergo preseason tests or training.

Balague tweeted: “He has no intention to do the pre-season tests or start the training sessions with Ronald Koeman. He had told the coach already that he saw himself ‘closer to leave than to stay’.”

Following Messi’s new decision to quit Barcelona, former Manchester United Captain and England National team defender, Rio Ferdinand has confirmed on social media that Chelsea head Coach, Frank Lampard is eyeing an audacious move for Messi.

Ferdinand posted on Twitter on Tuesday evening that he believes former teammate Lampard is plotting a sensational move for the Barcelona legend.

According to him, Chelsea is ready to sign Messi for any amount.

Meanwhile, runners-up in the just concluded UEFA Champions League in Portugal, Paris Saint Germain of France has shown interest in signing Messi.

Messi has been a major Target for the Club, and this will avail the Argentine to team up with his Former teammate in Barcelona, Neymar Junior.

PSG is not leaving any stone unturned to make history by also eyeing a possible move for Five time World Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus Football Club of Italy.

The two great of all time, Ronaldo and Messi could team up in a team if the dreams of PSG management comes to reality.

Dangote Begins Rehabilitation Of MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja |The Source

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The Source

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August 27, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Stadium Abuja, now named Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Stadium, is witnessing a turnaround and rehabilitation courtesy of Dangote Group.

The abandoned Stadium which last hosted a football match featuring the National Team, over Seven years ago, would soon be the destination for home matches of the Nation’s fixture, in age grade competitions for both Male and Female teams.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, flagged off and handed over the pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja to Dangote Group, for the commencement of rehabilitation by Messrs Aron Nigeria Ltd.

The rehabilitation job is expected to be completed in 24 weeks.

Dare while speaking at the handing over ceremony in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, said the rehabilitation was in line with the Ministry’s policy of ‘Adopt Campaign’.

He said, “I promised that this pitch and, indeed, other facilities will be revived and put to best use by athletes… in line with that mandate, we sought the support of many philantropists and sold them our vision of bringing back the glory days when our national stadia were filled to capacity on football game days which were the melting pot of various cultures and people of all ages.”

The Minister thanked the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for responding to the call to restore the edifice.

“After months of discussions, planning and processing, that promise has come to fulfillment today with the inauguration of the project. The football pitch will be getting the long overdue face-lift it deserves,” he said.

Dare commended Dangote and his group for believing in the vision of the Ministry by agreeing to partner with it to restore the fading glory of the edifice.

The Minister further asserted: “This landmark event reinforces my faith in the Public-Private sector Partnership in line with government’s efforts at delivering on our mandate.

“Government alone cannot fund sports and maintain facilities. we need more private corporations to take a cue from what Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Adebutu Kessington have done in supporting our drive to renovate and maintain our facilities for use by our athletes and to play host to international events.”

While urging the contractor, Messrs Aron Nigeria Ltd, to move with the speed of lightning, Dare said government had imbibed a proper maintenance culture to guarantee that the huge sum spent on these projects are not wasted.

The Abuja Stadium was built in 2003 during the 2003 All Africa Games, called COJA 2003. But it has since been left, and reduced to nothing. A couple of years ago, the Nigerian Government renamed it after the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential election who died in Military Custody.

How APC Leadership Forced Fayemi To Reshuffle Cabinet |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 27, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

More light has been shed on the reason Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state is contemplating dropping some of his commissioners now.

It was gathered that apart from injecting new ideas and personalities into governance, Dr Fayemi is being prevailed upon by the leadership of his party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) to reshuffle his cabinet as part of the moves to pacify some aggrieved members.

Names of seven persons were sent to the House of Assembly last week for the Legislature’s approval as Commissioners. The assembly had cleared the nominees during its sitting last Tuesday.

The crisis that is rocking the party in the state is dated back to two years ago when the Governorship primary was conducted and Dr Fayemi won.

Other aspirants that participated in the primary accused Fayemi of ditching them and appointing only those that supported him into government.

This led to the setting up of a committee headed by the former chairman of APC in the state, Chief Jide Awe to reconcile aggrieved members.

Although, Jide Awe’s committee is still going around local government areas to meet with some of those identified to be aggrieved, the cabinet reshuffle is seen by political observers as a way to make its job easy.

Some of the Commissioners to be dropped are expected to be appointed as special advisers to the governor to pacify them.

Sources within the party also disclosed that virtually all the new nominees, are supporters of other candidates during the shadow election.

Party members that spoke on the present disposition of the governor to accommodate people from other camps expressed the hope that the measure will go a long way into bringing unity into the party.

They also expressed the hope that some of them that had taken the party to court will now be disposed to peaceful resolution of their demands.

The party, according to them, will be better positioned to tackle challenges from opposition and prepare for future election with united members.