By Emmanuel Afonne

Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the Chairman of Enyimba International football club of Aba, has expressed optimism of recording positive result in the CAF Confederation Cup first-leg, quarter-final clash with the Pyramids FC of Egypt in Cairo.

Anyansi-Agwu expressed the optimisim in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ahead of Sundays first-leg encounter between both teams.

He said the target of the Nigerian club is to play in the final and possibly lift the trophy.

This is no longer the group stage, the approach must be different because it is no longer about points, its about scoring goals and winning; we have respect for them because at this level if you dont respect your opponent, you might miss the point.

In as much we have respect for them, I believe they will accord us the same respect but we wont be carried away just because its Pyramids.

This is the knockout stage, any mistake you make you are out, so we are doing everything possible to avoid mistakes that will cost us the semifinals ticket.

Theyre from Egypt and a very good team but we are also not a lesser team. We will ensure everyone is focused.

If you talk about experience, both local and international, you cant take it away from Enyimba, but it doesnt mean we are God, Anyansi-Agwu said.

According to him, he will be an accomplished man if the Confederation Cup title is added to Enyimbas list of trophies.

I cant be satisfied with what I have achieved with Enyimba as far as I am still there. But looking back, I cant be carried away because I need results.

Even when you play a team 10-0, youre expected to win the next game regardless of the 10-0, so that is what it is. We want to achieve more.

We want to win the trophy and complete add it to our arsenal of trophies. If you look at everything we have won, Champions League, Super Cup, eight league titles, FA Cup and others, the only one missing is the Confederation cup.

So, it will be an honour and accomplishment for me as an administrator that during my time Enyimba won the title, he added.

NAN reports that the return-leg encounter would be played at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba, on May 23. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi earned English FA Cup glory on Saturday as Leicester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the competitions final match at Londons Wembley Stadium.

Youri Tielemans scored a wonder goal and the video assistant referee (VAR) then came to the rescue for Leicester City to win the FA Cup for the first time.

It was the first in the clubs 137-year history.

Tielemans fired into the top left corner from some 25 metres out in the 63rd minute in front of a crowd of some 21,000 fans.

They were allowed into the famed arena as coronavirus restrictions are being eased in England.

But victory was not theirs until an 89th-minute equaliser from Chelsea was nullified by VAR because Ben Chilwell was deemed offside by the smallest of margins in the build-up.

It was Leicester Citys first FA Cup trophy after four lost finals in the past, the last one 52 years ago in 1969.

Also, it was their second major title after a sensational Premier League success in 2016.

They also have three League Cup crowns.

Team captain Kasper Schmeichel also made key saves for the team of manager Brendan Rodgers late in the game before receiving the trophy from Britains Prince William, the FA president.

So happy I cant begin to describe it. What a day. Indescribable. It is what dreams are made of. I have dreamt of this since I was a child, Schmeichel said.

We have talked about wanting to win trophies, and the performance today with the grit and the determination. I am so proud of everybody.

Chelsea were not as strong as in the past weeks under their new manager Thomas Tuchel who had won the German Cup in 2017 with Borussia Dortmund.

He also won the French Cup last year with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

The Blues eliminated Premier League champions Manchester City in the semi-finals but fell short of a ninth FA Cup title in their 15th final.

Chances were sparse in a rainy first half with Chelseas Mason Mount and Timo Werner aiming wide.

Cesar Azpilicueta was also unable to meet Thiago Silvas cross from point-blank range after Werner had also gone for the ball.

Leicester City gained more possession as the sun came out after the break, and the goal then came in the 63rd minute when Chelsea lost the ball in their half.

Luke Thomas set up the Belgian midfielder Tielemans for the sensational strike high into the net past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Tuchel brought in more attacking power, which helped set up a frantic finale.

Chilwells 78th-minute header was kept out by Schmeichel with a little help from the left post.

The Danish goalkeeper also made another sensational save against Mounts fierce volley in the 87th minute.

It all seemed to no avail when Chilwell beat him for a long punt and the ball deflected into the net.

But Chelseas wild celebrations turned into agony when the goal was disallowed - and it was then Leicester City and their fans who celebrated wildly a few minutes on.

The performance today, the grit and determination, Im so proud of everybody, everybody contributed to get to the final everyone has played and been sensational, Schmeichel said.

The two sides meet again on Tuesday in a crucial English Premier League (EPL) date at Stamford Bridge.

It is a game in which the losers could miss out on a place in the next UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea though have another chance for silverware when they meet Manchester City again but in the UEFA Champions League final in a fortnight on May 29 in Porto. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Juventus kept alive their UEFA Champions League qualification hopes with a dramatic 3-2 win over Serie Achampions Inter Milan in the Derby dItalia on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo tapped home after his initial penalty kick was saved to put Juve ahead midway through the first half.

But Romelu Lukaku drew Antonio Contes side level soon after with a penalty kick of his own.

A Giorgio Chiellini own goal seven minutes from full-time cancelled out Juan Cuadradosearlier strike.

But the Colombia international sealed a vital three points for Juve - who had Rodrigo Bentancur dismissed early in the second half - in the 88th minute.

He powered home from the penalty kick spot after he had been brought down by Ivan Perisic, whose team-mate Marcelo Brozovic was sent off in stoppage time.

The result moved Andrea Pirlos side into the top four, although they could be usurped ahead of next weekends final matchday if Napoli overcome Fiorentina on Sunday.

Juves early positive approach was rewarded in the 24th minute when a relieved Ronaldo slotted home the rebound after Samir Handanovic had kept out his initial penalty kick.

It was awarded after Matteo Darmian had hauled down Chiellini at a corner-kick.

Inter Milan drew level 11 minutes later, with Lukaku stroking home from the penalty kick spot after Matthijs de Ligt was penalised for the slightest of touches on Lautaro Martinez.

Juventus restored their lead in first-half stoppage time, as Cuadrados effort from outside the penalty area flashed past Handanovic courtesy of a deflection off Christian Eriksen.

Juves task of holding onto their lead suffered a blow in the 55th minute when Bentancur received a second yellow card for a foul on Lukaku.

Pirlo opted to replace Ronaldo with Alvaro Morata for the final 20 minutes and that decision appeared to have backfired when Chiellini bundled into his own net under pressure from Lukaku.

The goal was eventually given after the referee was encouraged to review the incident by VAR.

However, the hosts sealed a memorable three points with two minutes remaining.

Cuadrado lashed home from the penalty kick spot to inflict a first defeat in 21 Serie A matches for Inter Milan.

The new champions had Brozovic dismissed after he picked up a second yellow card for a foul on the two-goal hero.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olajide Idowu

Osun United Football Club of Osogbo on Saturday defeated visiting Delta Force FC of Ogwashi-Uku 1-0 in a week 14 match of the 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL).

Mutiu Daudas goal in the 83rd minute gave Osun United the needed victory of the match played at the Osogbo Township Stadium.

Speaking after the game, Delta Forces coach Okoh Sunday said he had nothing to complain about the match as they lost to a better side.

We lost. Nothing caused the loss. What I need to do now is to go back to the drawing board and do the needful.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game had started 26 minutes behind the scheduled 4 p.m. kick-off time due to heavy rainfall.

NAN also reports that, with this win, Osun United are now with 18 points.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Egypt will be the host country for the inaugural CAF Womens Champions League finals, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced in Kigali on Saturday.

The decision was taken at an executive committee meeting of the African football governing body which ended on Saturday in the Rwandan capital.

Following the launch of the continental competition in 2020, the Womens Champions League is scheduled to be staged between October and December annually.

Seven teams will qualify for the final tournament through zonal qualification to join the top club from the host country, who gains automatic qualification.

Rivers Angels will fly Nigerias flag at the tournament after coming top at the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership Super Six in April. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Birutkan Mideksa, chairwoman of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, confirmed the change of date in a press statement: The vote will not happen on June 5.

The vote was originally planned for last August, but then postponed for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), which was ruling the northern region at the time, had resisted the postponement and held its regional elections in September.

This was a factor that led to the conflict between the TPLF and the central government in Addis Ababa, which has been ongoing since early November.

More than 50,000 people have fled to Sudan so far in connection with the conflict.

The U.S. expressed extreme concern on Saturday about the increasing number of confirmed cases of the military blocking access of humanitarian aid to the conflict region.

In a statement released by the U.S. embassy in Addis Ababa, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: This unacceptable behaviour places the 5.2 million people in the region in immediate need of humanitarian assistance at even greater risk.

There are credible reports of military personnel committing serious human rights abuses against civilians in Tigray, the statement said.

Mideksa said various logistical problems could not be addressed during the originally planned time frame for the June 5 election date.

She gave a delay in the delivery of ballot papers as an example of work still to be done.

She did not announce a new date, but said it would take into account the onset of the rainy season, among other considerations.

The electoral board announced that some 36.2 million voters have registered to cast their ballots in the election, which some predict will give the ruling Prosperity Party a majority in parliament.

The TPLF dominated Ethiopia for some 25 years until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018 and pushed them out.

The upcoming elections are seen as an important test for Abiy:He came to power following the resignation of his predecessor and has since initiated several reforms.

Among other things, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his peace agreement with long-term rival Eritrea.

However, ethnic tensions and conflicts have intensified during his term in office in the multi-ethnic state with its approximately 112 million inhabitants, and criticism of Abiy is growing.

The new parliament to be elected chooses the head of government. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

A political pressure group, No Alternative To Buhari-Osinbajo 2019 (NATBO 2019), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be firm on his actions to keep the country united even in the face of daunting security challenges.

NATBO made the call in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Mr Vincent Uba, on Saturday noting that no president who swore to protect the sovereignty of his country would allow his country to disintegrate.

Uba said that the president must not be distracted from the good work of fighting to protect lives and property of the citizens, relentless war against corruption and building a strong and enduring economy.

He noted that the group, having objectively and critically analysed Buharis administration, had no option than to pass a vote of confidence in it after rating it highly in terms of governance performance.

Our conclusion is based on what the administration met on ground in 2015, together with the major global crisis of oil glut in 2016 and the current COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The NATBO coordinator urged those aiming to distract the president through clamour for restructuring, constitutional amendment or referendum to channel their cases to the National and State Assemblies who were elected to represent the people.

Uba noted that the legislature was the right organ of government to look into the appropriateness or otherwise of such agitations as the president would be the last person to fall for clamour for session or self determination.

The president of the country has no hands in this and so should not be dragged into considering these agitations.

Nigeria has witnessed, as never before, all manner of agitations and clamour for self determination or secession.

The administration has witnessed negative criticisms, most of which are based on half truths, selfish political motives and propaganda in the most crude form.

Judgment of President Buharis performance has not been based on comparative cost analysis, but rather has been on deceptive and warped grounds.

A fair and just judgment of Buharis performance should have taken into cognisance what he met on ground at inception in 2015 and the global oil glut of 2016 as well as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

It is laughable and ironic that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration that enjoyed oil boom throughout its tenure, mismanaged same and ran the country aground is at the forefront of the criticisms, Uba said.

According to him, the PDP that could not use the enormous resources available to it to nip the Boko Haram insurgency in the bud has now turned round to criticise the present government of not being able to defeat banditry.

NATBO wondered how anybody would rate a government that mismanaged the countrys economy for 16 years in times of boom, better than a government that is using meagre resources to keep our economy going in times of gloom.

According to him, critics run to the exchange rate for comparism.

But the question is, what was the price of crude oil, the mainstay of Nigerian economy and determinant of availability of foreign exchange in 2015?

Also, at what capacity in terms of volume was Nigeria producing the crude oil then, compared to what it produces now?

The critics tend to forget in a hurry the time fuel scarcity used be the order of the day, with the people confronted by excruciating long queues at petrol stations, making them to buy a litre of petrol for as much as N250 to N400 in the black market.

At some point, Nigerians wished that they paid high price if the fuel was readily available.

The same critics are closing their eyes to constant availability of fuel now where people will enter the petrol station and buy with ease.

The same critics forget in a hurry the epileptic power supply and the attendant crazy billing system that we almost became used to before Buhari came to power.

They close their eyes to the now improving power supply and deliberate effort by the present administration to metre households, in the attempt to check crazy billing, Uba added.

He also listed rail transportation, massive infrastructural development of roads and housing across the nation in spite of the meagre financial resources and massive support for agricultural development as part of the administrations achievements.

The NATBO coordinator also listed the soon to be commissioned second Niger bridge as another landmark achievement of the present administration. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The anti-vandal Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara Command, on Saturday arrested six suspected cult members in Ilorin.

In a statement in Ilorin, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Mr Babawale Afolabi, said that the corps made the arrest in collaboration with the state security outfit known as Operation Harmony.

According to the PRO, an intelligence report revealed that two rival cult groups, Abata and Aye, would strike at Dada area of Okelele, Ilorin.

It was a serious battle, but only six of them were apprehended, he said.

Afolabi said all the suspects (names withheld) were from Kwara.

He said that misunderstanding between the rival groups started during the just-concluded Ramadan fast when two members of Aye were injured.

The Abata group decided to strike back today (Saturday) and they met very close to a river in that area.

Some of the tools retrieved from them are axes, cutlasses and knives, he said.

According to him, two of the suspects had serious injuries.

The corps is, however, making an arrangement to transfer the case to the Nigeria Police Force, the PRO said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Yahaya Isah

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has released the list of successful candidates in the 2020 Nigerian Navy Recruitment Interview held in Lagos and Port Harcourt from April 1 to April 16,2020.

A statement by the Director of Information, Naval Headquarters, Commodore Suleman Dahun, stated that the list was released online atwww.joinnigeriannavy.com.

According to Dahun, the successful candidates are to report for training in two batches at the NN Basic Training School Onne, Port Harcourt.

The director added that NNBTS Batch 31, would to report for training on May 22, while NNBTS Batch 32 would report for training on Jan. 8, 2022.

Dahun warned that any candidate who failed to report four days after the indicated dates would not be accepted for training.

According to him, candidates are to also come along with two navy blue PT shorts,two white round neck vests, one pair of white canvas, one pair of brown canvas and two pairs of black trousers.

Others are two white long sleeve shirts, two black ties, one pair of black shoes, three pairs of white long socks, one pair of national dress, original and photocopies of credentials, BVN print out and one set of cutlery. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

Elder statesman Edwin Clark has cautioned against calls for cessation in some parts of the country.

Clark told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that calls for cessation in some quarters were not the solution to the countrys problems.

He said he did not believe in Nigerias breakup in spite of rising insecurity and economic challenges in the country.

According to him, rather than fan the embers of war by making cessation calls, workable strategies should be evolved to solve the problem of insecurity and other challenges making life unbearable for Nigerians.

Nigeria will remain one. Some of us do not believe in the call for cessation. Where do we go to, who are we leaving the country for, who owns it.

We cannot flee, where do we go. Though I am seeing this danger but I do not believe that Nigeria will split.

Recently 17 Southern governors met and they also agreed that Nigeria will remain one. They are not just PDP but also APC governors.

Even during the civil war in 1967, we never believed Nigeria would break up and the war eventually ended in 1970.

That was the nearest we got to breaking up but Nigeria did not break up, he said.

The elder statesman called for restructuring rather than call for break up.

He referred to reports of the 2014 National Conference and the committee headed by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, saying the recommendations would go a long way.

He said, all we are saying is that we should restructure the country. Let us devolve power to the states. They should be the federating units.

We should refer to the 2014 National Conference report of over 600 recommendations. We do not need to convoke another confab.

The confab report in addition to what APC produced under Gov. Nasir El-rufais committee are enough to create a true federal system of government in Nigeria.

Clark stressed that unless Nigeria returned to a federal system of government, as obtained in 1963, the restructuring process would not be complete.

Let us have a federal system of government as we had in 1963. Once that is done, there will be peace in Nigeria. With that, every region will have a State Police.

So, the only cure to the problem of insecurity in Nigeria is to return to the 1963 Constitution with a few amendments.

He further said, I have been in politics for about 70 years in this country and I have seen it all.

In 1960, there was the Independent Constitution, drawn up in Britain by the Whites and Nigerians.

They agreed that this country has more than 250 ethnic nationalities, therefore a unitary form of government will not work and that there should be a federation which we had.

The 1960 constitution made it that every region had its own constitution and develop at their own pace and keep half of what is developed in their area.

That was why Obafemi Awolowo was able to develop the West because we had the cocoa boom at the time. The price of cocoa was very high in the international market.

So he was able to introduce free primary education which other regions could not do at the time.

He blamed the military for the present economic and security challenges faced by Nigerians, saying the military changed into a unitary form of government.

Aguiyi Ironsi changed this country into a unitary government.

It continued until the Army handed over in 1999 and they left behind a unitary form of constitution.

That is why we are facing so much problem as a nation and that is why we are calling for restructuring, he said.

On attacks on schools, Clark called for provision of security in and around schools through the building of fences and adequate surveillance.

He said that it might not be possible to guard all schools with the few number of security men in the country.

He advised that vigilantes could be employed to provide the Police with necessary information in the case of attempted attacks.

He, however, kicked against mounting surveillance cameras in schools, saying, it will not work unless the people are ready to prevent kidnapping and other forms of attacks in schools.

Even if we mount CCTVs they will be compromised as has happened on different occasions in some parts of the country.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has originated a phone call across to his Turkish counterpart, Tecep Tayyep Erdoan where the two leaders had fruitful discussions.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, confirmed this development in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Shehu quoted the president as expressing satisfaction with existing bilateral ties between the two countries.

The Nigerian leader called for greater Turkish participation in the economy and the humanitarian efforts in the Northeast.

The president used the occasion to extend a sincere message of goodwill and felicitation on the important occasion of Eid-el-Fitr to President Erdoan and the people of Turkey.

He also expressed gratitude to Allah for sparing our lives and granting us the ability to perform the important obligations of the month of Ramadan.

According to the presidential aide, the two leaders expressed their earnest desire for peace and stability to reign in the world, and for an end to all ongoing conflicts as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart Abuja for Paris, France, on a four-day official visit to attend the African Finance Summit.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

According to him, the summit will focus on reviewing African economy following shocks from Coronavirus pandemic, and getting relief, especially from increased debt burden on countries.

He added that the summit, to be hosted by President Emmanuel Macron, would draw major stakeholders in the global finance institutions and some Heads of Government, who will, collectively, discuss external funding and debt treatment for Africa, and private sector reforms.

He said, during the visit, President Buhari would meet with the French President to discuss growing security threats in Sahel and Lake Chad region, political relations and economic ties.

Shehu revealed that the two leaders would also deliberate on climate change and partnership in buoying the health sector, particularly in checking spread of COVID-19, with more research and vaccines.

Before returning to Nigeria, President Buhari will receive some key players in the oil and gas sector, engineering and telecommunications, European Council and European Union Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission, and members of the Nigerian community, he said.

He stated that the president would be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, and Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

Other on the trip, according to him, are: National Security Adviser, retired Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno and Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

In a congratulatory message by his Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday, Buhari commended the royal fathers unwavering dedication to Nigerias unity and development.

The president saluted the Igwe for devoting so much of his time, resources and influence to champion access to quality education as a necessity for national development.

He thanked him for setting a worthy example to the traditional institution on dignity and honour in public office, respect for diversity, and dedication to the culture of peace and bridge building.

Buhari, therefore, joined family, friends, well-wishers and beneficiaries of Igwe Achebes leadership and philanthropic gestures in praying that almighty God grants the celebrant more years of health and happiness. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has urged youths not to allow the current challenges in the country to deter them from realising their ambitions.

Tambuwal said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, on Saturday.

The governor made the appeal in Sokoto when he hosted various youths organisations in the state to a lunch event in commemoration of the Eid-el-Fitr festival.

He urged the youths to work hard in whatever they chose as career in order to succeed, adding that theyshould hope and act as if the future is now.

Tambuwal noted that the youths have a lot to contribute in building the state and nation, as such should not be deterred by difficulties and challenges.

We deliberately chose as our slogan; The Future Is Now when we wanted to run for the Presidency in the year 2019.

As such, I appeal to all of you to make up your minds on what you want as individuals and sustain your vision on the realisation of that, going forward, he said.

Tambuwal also encouraged the youths to participate actively in politics and governance, noting that he joined politics in his late twenties.

The governor while outlining the trajectory of his personal experience in politics, encouraged the youths to give a shot at politics, saying with God on your side, nothing will be impossible.

Our administration believe in the youths and that is why we are investing in education, healthcare and human capital development.

This is why we have spent more than any previous government around here on students scholarship despite the economic challenges we are facing, he added

He also said the challenges Nigeria is facing today are very enormous and needed people with zest, and divine interventions to be overcome.

The governor noted that the state wage bill has risen from between N1.4 billion and N1.5 billion to N2.7 billon, excluding allowances and cash allocations.

Sokoto state is not like Lagos or Rivers where the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is robust. We dont have such high IGR. Hardly do we rake in N700-N800 million in a month.

Moreover, most of these is not coming from the business community.

But now, with the reform, and working in concert with the people, we are striving to turn around the internal revenue service with the hope that there will be a rise in our IGR, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken with U.S. President Joe Biden about the Gaza conflict.

The head of the Israeli government announced on Twitter on Saturday that he had informed Biden on the phone about developments and measures that Israel had taken and still wanted to take.

He also thanked the U.S. president for Washingtons unconditional support when it comes to Israels right to self-defence.

The conversation between Netanyahu and Biden was the second official one since the beginning of the conflict.

Meanwhile, Biden has briefed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Washingtons diplomatic engagement in the ongoing conflict, the White House said in a statement.

Biden also stressed that the Islamist Hamas movement must stop firing rockets at Israel.

Biden and Abbas expressed concern over the deaths of innocent civilians.

The U.S. president stressed his commitment to a negotiated two-state solution.

According to him, it is the best way to achieve a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Spotify founder Daniel Ek has revealed he has had a bid to buy Arsenal rejected, which included elements of fan ownership and representation on the board.

The Swedish billionaire, a boyhood Arsenal fan, tweeted his interest in purchasing the north London outfit last month during protests against club owners.

The protests had followed the clubs involvement in the European Super League (ESL) project.

Arsenal were one of six English Premier League (EPL) clubs to sign up for a breakaway European competition last month before quickly withdrawing from the process less than 48 hours later.

Thousands of fans protested outside the Emirates Stadium before their 1-0 defeat to Everton on April 23 when Ek registered interest in buying the Gunners.

Kroenke, who owns the club through his Kroenke Sports and Entertainment business, has stressed that he has no interest in selling.

But Ek moved forward with his plans and has the backing of former Arsenal players Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry in a potential take-over.

The 38-year-old has said he has made an offer to the Kroenkes over buying Arsenal, which son and director Josh is believed to have turned down.

In a statement posted on Twitter, Ek said: Inaccurate reports emerged today saying I have not made a bid for Arsenal Football Club.

I think its important to correct the record this week an offer was made to both Josh Kroenke and their bankers that included fan ownership, representation at the board and a golden share for the supporters.

They said that they dont need the money. I respect their decision but remain interested and available should that situation ever change. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Saturday reiterated the states commitment to enforce the ban on open grazing of cattle in Abia.

Ikpeazu said this during a zoom meeting with newsmen of Abia extraction under the aegis of Abia Media Forum.

The governor said that a bill was already in place to enforce the ban and to check the activities of criminal elements disguising as nomads.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Nigerian governors from the Southern part of the country recently resolved to ban open grazing of cattle in their states.

This was part of the 12 resolutions reached by the governors at their Tuesday meeting in Asaba, Delta state capital.

The governors had said that open grazing of cattle had often caused conflicts between host communities and migrant herders, leading to several deaths and murder in many states.

They also accused some of the herders of committing other criminal acts, including armed robbery, kidnapping and rape.

Ikpeazu said We are now at the point of making sure that we enforce and implement it and even in doing that I must also share what I see as a challenge to the enforcement of that law.

The law is in place and we are taking steps to enforce it.

It has become imperative that we enforce that law strictly because we just noticed that we have big time trouble in our hands.

We have those that we refer to as criminal herdsmen; they are different from the ordinary herdsmen that we have been living with all these years.

We now have in our mist bandits that have infiltrated from the rest of West Africa and other parts of Africa and their assignment is to come here rape, kill and kidnap people for money.

It is now very imperative that we enforce that law, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ayinde Olaide

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and his wife, Hajiya Aisha, on Saturday, received their second jabs of Astrazeneca vaccine of COVID-19.

Speaking after receiving the jab, Mohammed appreciated the states development partners, the health workers as well as the religious and traditional leaders for the success of the vaccination exercise

According to him, through the collaborative efforts, the state had achieved 97.9 per cent coverage of the vaccination.

The governor called for synergy between the federal and state governments to procure more vaccines for the total coverage of the citizenry.

The governor appealed to some religious faithful, who allegedly refused to participate in the vaccination against COVID-19, to embrace the exercise.

He said that he was surprised to hear that leaders of certain religion refused to present themselves for the vaccination.

Please, we are not expecting this from them because they are the most enlightened among our population.

If they are not presenting themselves, the followers will also not present themselves.

We dont want any exclusion, everyone is very dear to me.

So, I must make sure that they are well secured and protected, the governor said.

Earlier, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), remarked that some pregnant women were among those who allegedly refuse to take the vaccine jabs.

Mohammed noted that a large number of Bauchi residents were responding positively to the vaccine.

He explained that the state recorded 97.9 per cent vaccination coverage during the first vaccination exercise.

The chairman added that the state had received 55,000 vaccines from the Federal Government for the second COVID-19 vaccination exercise.

We have 97.9 per cent coverage and we have about 55,000 doses of vaccines in our hand today.

However, we are only going to give this vaccination to those that had the first dose.

If you didnt take the first dose, you are excluded from the second dose, Mohammed said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday called on religious leaders to unite in fight against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, in a statement in Abuja said Buhari made the call during telephone conversation with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III.

The Sultan originated the call to felicitate with the President on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and the observance of the Eid prayers.

The president called for continuous dialogue between the leaders of the two major faiths for peace and stability to reign in the country.

He commended the Sultan for his effective leadership of the Muslim Ummah and credited him with the unity of the community sustained under his watch.

On his part, the Sultan pledged his commitment to the continued existence of the country as one geo-political entity.

He assured the president of the support of the Sultanate in the ongoing efforts to tackle challenges facing the nation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Uchenna Eletuo

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared a three-day prayer for the peace and unity of the country in the face of mounting insecurity.

The General Secretary of CAN, Mr Daramola Bade-Joseph, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

Bade-Joseph said that the event which would hold from May 28, until May 30, had become necessary following the spate of insecurity in parts of the country.

He said that the prevailing circumstance had made it imperative to seek Gods intervention to restore peace and progress in Nigeria.

According to him, all participating denominations are expected to gather in the evenings of each of the days set aside for the prayers.

He appealed to CAN members to pray God to give the political leaders in the country the wisdom to do justice and show fairness to all manner of persons irrespective of ethnic group, creed and religion.

We should also pray that the law enforcement officers rise to their responsibilities by providing the necessary security we need in Nigeria, Bade-Joseph said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News