Emmanuel Afonne

Amaju Pinnick, the President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has said that the Super Eagles stand the chance of pocketing $24 million if they play in the final of the 2018 World Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Cup will hold from June 14 to July 15 in Russia.

Pinnick told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday at a parley that the money was part of the agreement reached with the players to share 50-50, whatever would accrue to the country if they get to the final and lift the trophy.

I dont put players under pressure. Pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them.

If for example we dont have money to prepare them, they can now relax but now, we have given them everything upfront and now, they should deliver.

If today they get to the final, the World Cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team and the NFF.

Winning the final is 48 million dollars, it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars, Pinnick said.

He also said that adequate preparation including grade A friendly matches have been secured with England and Czech Republic to ensure the team do well at the World Cup.

The NFF boss further said that the glass house had already secured $2.8 million to pay the players allowances and bonuses during the mundial.

We are ready to play against England on June 2 in London in an international friendly; we had a conclusive meeting with the English FA.

After the England match, we will play Czech Republic and from there we move to Russia. As it is, everything is going on very well.

For the World Cup, I dont think we have any problem, I am in touch with the technical committee. It is the desire of every Nigerian to see the Super Eagles do well at the World Cup.

We had a meeting with the team; we signed a contract with them and ready to pay them 20 per cent of eight million which is what accrued to us for qualifying for the World Cup.

At the end of the day it amounts to 2.8million dollars which will go to the players. The money is almost 100 per cent ready, Pinnick added.

Pinnick also explained that the football house met with some state governors who were ready to assist the NFF financially to achieve the countrys World Cup dream.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the NFF and the Super Eagles, and assured that they would not let him down in Russia.

Source: NAN

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has agreed to pay $5 million in order to settle his looming federal fraud case stemming from his use of performance-enhancing drugs during the Tour de France, his lawyers confirmed Thursday.

The former superstar was due to face a trial next month over claims that he defrauded the US government when he doped while racing for his United States Postal Service-sponsored team.

Lance Armstrong today announced that he has settled the long-running False Claims Act case brought against him by former cyclist Floyd Landis and the U. S. Postal Service, a statement from Armstrong lawyer Elliot Peters said.

This ends all litigation against Armstrong related to his 2013 admission that during his career as a professional cyclist he had used performance enhancing substances.

The Washington Post reported Armstrong will also pay $1.65 million to cover the legal costs of former team-mate and whistleblower Landis.

The Postal Service and Landis had sought around $100 million in damages from Armstrong in the trial which was due to get under way on May 7.

I am glad to resolve this case and move forward with my life, Armstrong said in a statement.

I am particularly glad to have made peace with the Postal Service. While I believe that their lawsuit against me was without merit and unfair, I have since 2013 tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes, and make amends wherever possible.

I rode my heart out for the Postal cycling team, and was always especially proud to wear the red, white and blue eagle on my chest when competing in the Tour de France. Those memories are very real and mean a lot to me.

The fallen US cycling star had battled back from cancer to win cyclings most prestigious race, the Tour de France, a record seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005.

Although rumours of drug use swirled around Armstrong throughout his career, he never failed a test.

However his reputation imploded when the United States Anti-Doping Agency wrapped up an investigation which concluded he had been at the heart of a sophisticated doping program throughout his career.

Armstrong later confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs and was banned from all competitions for life and stripped of his seven Tour titles

Source: NAN

Arsne Wenger has finally agreed to quit London club Arsenal at the end of this season after years of uncertainty.

The Frenchman will depart the club a year ahead of the expiration of the two year contract he signed last year despite many calling for his sack.

With the clubs performance in the Premier League becoming increasingly disappointing, this season marked the first time in 20 years that they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite having one less competition to worry about they are currently sixth in the Premier League and look certain not to achieve a top four finish, hanging their only hopes on winning the Europa League.

I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years, Wenger said. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

To all the Arsenal lovers, take care of the values of the club.

Wenger played supervised 1228 games and won 704 in his 22-year-reign as Arsenals manager, winning seven FA Cups and seven Community Shields.

He won three Premier League titles and also three times Premier League Manager of the Year.

Wenger also has World Manager of the Year in his kitty.

Meanwhile, Gary Neville has paid tribute to departing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and urged supporters of all club to celebrate his reign in the clubs final five games of the season.

Neville was part of the Manchester United team which regularly battled with Wengers Arsenal during the 1990s and 2000s and has regularly commentated on his teams after becoming a pundit.

He said the Frenchmans 22-year reign should be remembered in fond terms, having led Arsenal to three of their 13 top-flight titles, an unbeaten league season in 2003/4 and seven FA Cup successes.

Arsene Wenger built the best teams that I played against in English Football.

The 98 team was Amazing.

The biggest compliment is that he played football that made us change the way we played against them.

He now deserves the most incredible send off from all in the coming weeks.

Source: NAN

Arsene Wengers decision to finally step aside as Arsenal manager after 22 years in charge has sparked fevered speculation over who the Gunners will turn to next to succeed the Frenchman.

Arsenal are struggling to qualify for next seasons Champions League with victory in the Europa League their only realistic route back into Europes premier club competition.

However, with one of the biggest budgets in world football and a squad boasting the talents of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Arsenal job remains highly sought after.

Here are five contenders to take over at the Emirates:

The inspirational captain of Arsenals Invincibles that went an entire league season unbeaten in 2003-04, Vieira is a symbol of the glory years under Wenger.

Vieira won three league titles and three FA Cups during his playing days at Arsenal but has taken his first steps in management with another of his former clubs, Manchester City.

The Frenchman took charge of Citys elite development squad for 18 months before joining New York City, part of a network of clubs around the world owned by the City Football Group.

He led NYCFC to the MLS playoffs in each of his two full seasons in charge but lost out in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on both occasions.

While popular with the fans, Vieiras lack of top-level managerial experience would pose a huge risk in Arsenals attempts to re-establish themselves as a Premier League contender.

Rodgers has restored his reputation in just under two years at Celtic with the Glasgow giants on the brink of sweeping a treble of domestic trophies under the Northern Irishman for a second consecutive season.

The 45-year-olds three-and-a-half year spell at Liverpool ended on a sour note in October 2015 but he came as close as anyone to ending their 28-year wait for a Premier League title in 2013-14.

Celtics major shareholder Dermot Desmond said on Friday he would not stand in Rodgers way.

I dont think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal, he said. It will be Brendans decision and Brendans decision only.

A World Cup winner, Loew has resisted the temptation to swap international football for the rigours of day-to-day club management and is under contract with the German federation until 2020.

Despite being one of the favourites for the job with the bookies, Loews chances are harmed by the fact he will lead Germany at the World Cup this summer.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis conceded the club are likely to favour a quick appointment with an early end to the transfer window in August leaving just three weeks between the World Cup final in Moscow on July 15 and the closing of the window for Premier League clubs on August 9.

Source: NAN

Manchester United inflicted more FA Cup semi-final misery on Tottenham Hotspur as they recovered from a poor start to win 2-1 at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Tottenham, playing on the ground which has been their temporary home all season, got off to a dream start.

Dele Alli scored from close range but Alexis Sanchez equalised with a header and Ander Herrera fired Uniteds winner midway through the second half.

While United can look forward to the prospect of finishing the season with some silverware, Tottenham must pick themselves up after an eighth successive FA Cup semi-final loss.

The usual Spursy argument will be made and there will come a point when this undoubtedly talented side must back up the bouquets it gets with actual trophies, the true currency of success.

Spurs flew out of the blocks but simply could not put United away and there was an air of desperation and frustration.

There was also the questions of Pochettinos decision to persist with Michel Vorm in goal and keep first-choice Hugo Lloris on the bench.

While it is harsh to place defeat solely at Vorms door, he certainly could have done better with Herreras winner.

Harry Kane could not find his usual sure touch and Son Heung-min, superb this season, had one of those days when nothing went right.

Standing between United and a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph will be Chelsea or Southampton, who play on Sunday.

Source: NAN

By Ericjames ochigbo

Security was beefed up at the National Assembly complex on Thursday after Wednesdays invasion of the Senate by some hoodlums, who made away with the mace.

The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) observed the deployment of heavily-armed security personnel at the complex, who were conducting serious search of vehicles entering the premises.

An additional checkpoint was mounted at the entrance of the Three Arms Zone, near the Federal Secretariat, with heavy presence of policemen monitoring movement around the area.

The doors to Senate Wing lobby, which were hitherto often open were closed and manned by security officers, who ensured that those who walked through the area were properly identified.

An official of Sergeant-At-Arms Unit, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that henceforth, nobody would be allowed to evade security checks even when in the company with a legislator.

The source disclosed that those who invaded the assembly on Wednesday made their way into the Senate chamber because they were in company with a lawmaker and were not properly checked.

He said going forward, anybody entering the complex must go through proper security check irrespective of whose company they might be or their mission.

NAN also observed that officials of Sergeant-At-Arms unit insisted that people displayed their identity cards and those without identity were not allowed into the complex. (NAN)

Source: NAN

All former presidents and leaders of Nigeria are in unison to effect a change in the leadership of the country in 2019, opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claimed on Thursday.

The National Chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus, stated this at an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

His claim could not be corroborated as only two former Nigerian leaders, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, had expressed opinions about the need for a new leadership in the country.

But the two leaders are not in Support of the PDP.

The other surviving leaders, Yakubu Gowon, Shehu Shagari, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan, have not voiced any opinion.

Secondus called on members of the party and other political parties to join forces to rescue power from the APC.

He said that the party was consulting various interest groups and political stakeholders for synergy to enable regain power in 2019 elections.

Secondus said that the consultation with the groups was useful, and that in coming days, a broader platform would be raised to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said that PDP had taken it upon itself as the leading opposition party to broaden its scope, open its doors and allow ideas to flow in for a more robust democratic process.

Our consultations have taken us to meet with various interest groups, who are willing to do business with us.

I can report to you that it has been very fruitful.

We expect in the coming days to have a broader political family, working hard to rescue this democracy and our beloved country from the hands of APC.

We, therefore, invite our brothers, sisters, youths and women from other political parties in this platform to join us to rescue our country that is in distress, socially, politically, economically and security-wise.

On Wednesdays Mace at the Senate chamber, he called for the prosecution of those responsible for the act.

The chairman described the incident as ugly and sad, which underscored the fact that the countrys democracy was seriously under threat.

He said, how did the hoodlums pass through all the security checks, majestically walked into the chambers to cause such havoc, leaving much to chew to all discerning minds.

What happened in the Senate yesterday is a clear assault on democracy, a coup against the legislature and should not only be condemned but those responsible should be tried for treason as demanded by the law.

Herdsmen brazenly invade our homes and farms, rape, maim and kill our people daily, and thugs do the same in our parliament, yet we have a government.

This obnoxious development has placed enormous challenge on us as the main opposition party to up our game and quickly rescue this country from the appalling APC administration.

Secondus also expressed disbelief on the news credited to President Muhammadu Buhari, describing Nigerian youths as lazy people and his continued de-marketing of Nigeria each time he travels outside the country.

Our youths are not lazy, they are resourceful and indeed they are our future leaders.

On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, who explained Senate incident, said it was not just a coincidence but collusion.

According to him, this will send a wrong signal to foreign investors interested in investing in the country.

Ekweremadu, however, pledged the support of PDP senators for all PDP activities.

In his part, Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Ayodele Fayose, pledged that the hope of Nigerians in the party would not be let down.

Fayose also expressed optimism that the PDP would emerge victorious in the July 14 governorship election in his state. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Abiemwense Moru

A member of House of Representatives, Rep. Joseph Akinlaja (Ondo-PDP), has said Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadus wisdom saved Nigeria a greater embarrassment on Wednesday.

Some hoodlums had on Wednesday broken into the Senate chamber while plenary was on, attacked some persons and made away with the mace.

But rather than panicking and scampering at different directions, Ekweremadu, who was presiding, ordered that a back-up mace be brought and continued with the session.

Akinlaja told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that Ekweremadu used common sense to avert further consequences over the incident.

According to him, the decision of the Senate to continue plenary is commendable.

He explained that the common sense displayed by the deputy president of the senate by not forcefully ejecting Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege from the chamber was unprecedented.

Omo-Agege, who is suspected to be instrumental to the invasion of the senate, also defied his suspension by the chamber on April 9 for 90 legislative days, by coming to sit at plenary after the incident.

If Ekweremadu had asked him to go out yesterday or forcefully pulled him out, the senate chamber would have been divided and there would have been more chaos.

By sitting inside the Senate chamber throughout the executive session and the rest of plenary showed that Omo Agege was out to disobey and confront the decision of the Senate, but the presiding officer was very wise.

He allowed it in order not to create a scene or division on the floor. You know there will be some senators who are sympathetic to Omo-Agege and some, against him.

What he did by sitting inside the senate chamber was the height of impunity, Akinlaja said.

When we had such a case in the House, the legislator served his term; then, he came back and was re-absorbed.

Since then, we have been working together as if nothing happened.

The action of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege was reprehensible. If your own class takes a decision against you, you have a right to obey and you also have a right to go to court.

But, in most cases, you obey, but now, he has complicated the whole matter.

Even, those who have sympathy for him cannot come out to defend him with this type of action.

He cannot say he brought thugs to the place, but when the thugs are caught, they will tell who brought them.

He has denied bringing the thugs, and that is why the police released him pending investigation, but I am not ready to speak about that now, he added.

The lawmaker also said that a big lesson learnt from the invasion of the senate was to tighten security in the National Assembly.

It was the height of negligence for people who were not members to enter the chambers.

Even if the President of Nigeria is to enter any of the chambers, there must be a motion seeking the leave of the House for his entrance.

The distance from the entrance of the chamber to the table where the mace was and the distance back was enough for counter reaction.

Does it mean that our Sergeant-at-Arms do not have walkie-talkie? A single communication from the chambers to the gate would have saved the day.

Even the three gates that they beat before getting away are unimaginable. They even had the guts to abduct a senator that was lucky to be dropped along the way.

I recommend a beefing up of the security apparatus in the National Assembly.

A legislator comes here to make law and he does not bear arms and the people meant to protect him do not bear arms either.

On my part, I have removed arms from the name, Sergeant at Arms, he said.

Source: NAN

By Shuaib Sadiq

Some groups in Kaduna have resolved to organise a two-million-man-match to the convince former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa to join the 2019 presidential race.

Abdullahi Muazu, the Coordinator of the groups under the platform of Bafarawa Initiative for Peace, Unity and Progress, made this known to newsmen after a meeting in Kaduna on Friday.

He also expressed their readiness to obtain nomination form for Bafarawa when the time comes.

Bafarawa is a respected and peaceful personality and a more focused Nigerian full of ideas and respect for the youths than most of those indicating interest in the race so far, Muazu said.

According to him, Bafarawa as a politician and former governor is hardworking and disciplined politician who has transformed Sokoto state better than any other governor in the history of the state.

He is a politician with nationwide outreach and can be trusted. The Northwest has more formidable and qualified politicians who can deliver great things in terms of development.

The current federal government has failed Nigerian youths with insecurity, economic crisis and high rate of unemployment, he said.

Meanwhile, spokesman of the former governor, Malam Yusuf Dingyadi, said Bafarawa would study the groups demand and look at the political scenario of the country before taking a decision.

Dingyadi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the PDP chieftain would soon respond to the demands of the groups.

He will do that in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. Bafarawas mind is certainly preoccupied with how to contribute his quota to make Nigeria better with best of ideas.

For over two years now some Nigerians have been persuading Bafarawa to declares intention to contest the office of the president, but he is still studying the situation and praying for divine intervention over the matter, Dingyadi said.

Bafarawa is facing alleged corruption charges before a Sokoto High Court on his activities when he served as governor between 2003 and 2007.

He also has another case over arms funds allegedly diverted by former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The two cases were filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Source: NAN

By Ariwodola Idowu

Crisis on Saturday rocked the delegates congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti leading to an attack on a former Chairman of Ikere Local Gvernment, Mr. Mr Banji Aluko.

Aluko was beaten up by persons suspected to be political thugs over allegation that he was working against Ikere Agenda, fashioned by Gov. Ayo Fayose in support of his deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola.

Aluko , who led a group of youth to the secretariat of the party to register his protest over alleged subversion of the oppositions will, was chased away from the congress.

The supporter of former works minister, Mr, Dayo Adeyeye, was beaten with canes and cudgels and his sparkling apparel heavily stained.

Aluko accused the Deputy governor and a member of the House of Assembly representing Ikere constituency 1, Mr. Wale Ayeni, as the masterminds of the attack.

Our group won election at Ogbonjana ward 7 and we were rejoicing only for these thugs to pounce on me and started beating me.

I have reported the case to the police and proper action will be taken against the sponsors, he added.

The fragile peace brokered recently in the party broke down as the political gladiators squared up in virtually all the 177 wards, where elected delegates were expected to emerge, preparatory for the May 8 governorship primary.

The major gladiators are Governor Fayose; former Minister of Works, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye and Senator representing Ekiti south, Sen. Abiodun Olujimi.

They engaged in battle of wits in the delegates election.

While Fayose is backing his deputy, Olusola to succeed him in the July 14 governorship poll, the duo of Adeyeye and Olujimi were also contesting the same seat.

Adeyeye described the congress as a charade, calling for outright cancellation of the exercise to prevent anarchy.

Adeyeye said the election was brazenly manipulated in all the 177 wards , accusing the leaders of PDP Ad hoc committees sent to the 16 local governments of diverting the materials meant for the election.

Former Senate President, David Mark , led other top hierarchy of the party to conduct the congress.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus and members of the National Working Committee, as well as Senator Mark, were in Ado Ekiti last Wednesday to mediate between the opposing camps.

Tension was particularly high in Ikere Ekiti, hometown of the Fayoses deputy , as factions fought over the control of the Ikere local government delegates in all the eleven wards in the council.

Adeyeye, who spoke through his Media Assistant, Niyi Ojo, said: There was no election anywhere in the state. Those loyal to Fayose sat somewhere and wrote the list of delegates.

What really marvelled us was that the committees sent by the national headquarters to conduct the election didnt go to the wards, they
diverted, he alleged (NAN)

Source: NAN