It is too early to start impeaching Presidents in Nigeria, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), has warned those plotting President Muhamamadu Buharis impeachment.

The plot to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari would not augur well for Nigerias democracy, he said.

He told members of the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, NLSA, who paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday that disagreements are vital components of democracy.

There is no President that will not get impeached because of interest groups.

Cautioning against the plot, Gowon explained that disagreements remained hallmarks of democracy and such be settled amicably.

Impeachment is not necessary the option to disagreement .

Gowon spoke against the backdrop of the submission of a report on motion for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over the purchase of $496 million Tucano Aircrafts without legislators approval.

He called on the different groups in the North to come together to project a common front, adding that too many groups could send wrong signals to other parts of the country.

We need to come together as a people.

The Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum and the Northern Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly should come together or we would end up polarising the North.

Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, the Chairman of the Forum and former Presidential adviser, in his remarks, said the group was committed to sustainable peace and harmonious co-existence of all ethnic nationalities,

Gowon is the former head of state of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975. He took power after one military coup dtat and was overthrown in another coup.

He prosecuted the civil war from 1967 to 1970 and reunited Nigeria.

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday in Abuja said its voter register was not substantially used for the Feb. 10 Kano State local government election, where underaged voting allegedly occurred.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the Commissions Investigation Committee report on the alleged participation of underage persons in the election.

INEC on Feb. 21 set up an investigation committee chaired by a National Commissioner, Mr Abubakar Nahuche.

The committee was to look into the allegations that underage persons voting in the election, using the register of voters given to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) by INEC, as prescribed by law.

Yakubu said though the commission did not receive any formal complaint on the matter, the committee was set up to address concerns that could create doubt about voter register in preparations for 2019 general elections.

The chairman said that the committee had since submitted its report, while INEC carefully considered and accepted its finding and recommendations.

Base on its terms and reference, there are four key points in the findings and recommendations of the committee, which may be summarised as follows:

KANSIEC requested for and received from INEC the Kano state register of voters for the elections.

The register was produced for use for the elections. However, the register was only sighted in a few polling units. In other words, the register was not used in most of the polling units.

In fact, accreditation using the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) largely did not take place.

Given that the register was substantially not used to accredit voter before voting.

It is logical to conclude that if underage voting occurred in the election, it was not due to any presence of underage registrants on the register of voters.

However, after examining some of the images in circulation, the committee found that they have been available long before the Kano Local Government elections.

The few images and video clips from Kano show no accreditation of voters or any relationship with the register of voters.

Yakubu added that the committee also recommended that there was need and ample room for collaboration between INEC and all stakeholders to continue to update and improve the national register of voters.

This according to him, was important to eliminate all ineligible registrants from it, including dead persons, aliens and underage registrants.

It also recommended that INEC should work with the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to ensure continuous improvements in the quality of all elections conducted in Nigeria.

He said since 2011 general elections, the Commission had been updating the register in accordance with the law, saying the current commission believed that it inherited a register that met a high standard of biometric registration.

Let me reiterate that this commission is convinced that we now have a dependable register, even if it is not perfect.

We believe that it is a huge national asset, easily the largest database of Nigerians in existence today containing over 70 million entries of names, addresses, photographs, ten fingerprints, telephone numbers etc.

Yakubu implored all Nigerians to see the register as national asset and work with the commission to continue to improve it, considering that there were few if any perfect voters roll anywhere.

Yakubu also listed some of the efforts by INEC to continue to update the register and remove ineligible entries from it including presentation of the copies of the register to political parties.

Only recently, on Feb. 28, we gave each of the 68 political parties a copy of the register containing names of the 3.9 million new voters registered in 2017.

We urged them to use the register not only to reach out to voters, but also to check whether there are ineligible persons on the list and draw the attention of the commission to them.

Unfortunately, since this commission was inaugurated in 2015, there has not been a single report from any political party of ineligible voters on the register.

Yakubu noted that INEC had also been working with the Nigerian Immigration Service to eliminate aliens from the register by confiscating PVCs from aliens who were not entitled to vote.

He pledged that INEC would continue to collaborate with the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FORSIECON) toward establishing robust pathways to improving the quality of all elections conducted in Nigeria.

As we have consistently promised Nigerians, as a commission, we shall continue to be open to criticisms, accept shortcomings and take bold corrective steps whenever necessary.

Fielding questions from newsmen; Yakubu said that the commission spent little over N100 million for the failed recall of Sen. Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District.

The substantial part of it went to the payment of ad-hoc staff and logistics. He also disclosed that the commission was not creating new polling units ahead of the 2019 general elections, as there was no time to do so.

The logistics and arrangements for doing so cannot be accommodated before the 2019 general elections.

Source: NAN

A Kogi State High Court, Lokoja, has given an interim order that Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, be moved to the National Hospital Abuja, for further treatment.

Justice Nasir Ajanah, gave the order on Friday after the senators lawyer, Mike Ezekhome (SAN) sought for his bail.

On Thursday, police stretchered Melaye before a Senior Magistrates Court, and charged him with supplying illegal arms to two suspects,to commit various crimes in the state.

In Abuja on Wednesday, the embattled Senator was charged with causing damage to government property, attempted suicide and escape from lawful custody.

His lawyer argued by virtue of Section 97 of the Penal Code, the offence is bailable.But Chief Magistrate Suleiman Abdulahi denied the bail application and ruled that Melaye would remain in police custody for the next 39 days.

The case was then adjourned until June 11, 2018.

Police Melaye had taken possession of Melaye since he was recovered from a private hospital in Abuja after he jumped out of a moving police vehicle on April 24 while being conveyed to Lokoja Kogi State, for trial.

The police then moved him to the National Hospital, from where the police said he was discharged on Wednesday, for the first trial in Abuja.

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

In a bid to curb the transmission of preventable diseases, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa is to partner the World Health Organisation (WHO) to take hand washing campaigns across Nigeria and Africa.

Mrs Toyin Saraki, Founder-President of the Foundation disclosed this when she led a team on a courtesy visit the Abuja office of the WHO mission in Nigeria.

Saraki, the Devex Global Health Champion, was received by Dr Wondi Alemu, WHOs Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria,

The launch of WBFAs campaign follows the UN Secretary Generals call to action on WASH in healthcare facilities in March and coincides with the WHOs Save Lives: Clean your Hands campaign day, which takes place on 5th May each year.

The 5th of May is also International Day of the Midwife, with the theme this year being Midwives leading the way with quality care.

Speaking at the event, she said that her foundation had recognized that many diseases could be prevented if people take to hand washing.

She insisted that the amount of time and resources spent on curing diseases could rather be used for advocacy for hand washing so that the diseases are prevented before they occur.

She disclosed that her foundation is gong to commission a team of young hand washing advocates that will take the campaign to schools across Nigeria.

We will be inaugurating a team of young Nigerians as hand washing advocates so that they can go to schools to sensitise many on the importance of hand washing.

Our midwives will also take the same campaign to hospitals and primary health centres to educate mother on the importance of hand washing.

In the next one year we can measure the impact of the campaign. Washing your hand with clean water prevents diseases.

Here in Nigeria, the WHO found that 29 per cent of healthcare facilities do not have access to safe water and toilets, whilst a WaterAid survey revealed that half of primary health facilities do not have hand washing facilities in delivery rooms.

Pregnant women and newborns are thereby placed in huge danger and at risk of sepsis, which is a leading cause of death in hospitals.

As the Founder-President of the WBFA, I work with our midwives to ensure that mother and baby are safe from birth through to age.

Without adequate WASH facilities, however, midwives all over the world are unable to safely carry out their crucial work and to lead the way with quality care.

Our target is for the 198 million Nigerians to be saying wash, she said.

Is his remark, the WHO Country Representative, Wondi Alemu said that the WHO was really impressed by the many interventions by the Wellbeing Foundation.

He said that the activities if the foundation going beyond just health care and hygiene to general wellbeing, adding that he is particularly impressed by the foundation.

He commended the foundation for the new campaign, saying that with good strategies, the impact of hand washing could be tremendous.

This is a very impressive foundation, I am impressed the way you have expressed it and also eager to implement it.

The choice of the target is good and we believe that if we manage to reduce the infection transmission, we will definitely bring down the way infections are acquired.

I will like to assure you that WHO, not only the country office but the whole WHO is supporting this mission.

Personally I have interacted with Director of WHO whom you are one of her advisers, and I can assure you that the WHO will be supporting your foundation.

We have all reasons to back you up, personally I commit myself to this foundation to make sure that I and my colleagues support you in the areas where you want us to engage, he said.

Source: NAN

A man accused of plotting to kill British Prime Minister Theresa May pleaded not guilty to terrorism charges in a London court on Friday.

Naaimur Rahman is accused of planning to detonate an explosive device at the gates of Downing Street to gain access to Mays office and kill her in the ensuing chaos.

He appeared by video link at Londons Old Bailey central criminal court, ahead of his trial which is due to start in June.

Rahman has been accused of conducting reconnaissance on Downing Street and planning to use a bag fitted with an explosive device in preparations for committing attacks against persons in the United Kingdom, according to a charge sheet.

Rahman, who was arrested in November, is also accused of helping another man, Mohammad Imran to join the Islamic State militant group by recording and sending him a sponsorship video.

Imran pleaded not guilty on Friday to a charge of planning to travel to Libya to join Islamic State, possessing the video made by Rahman, conducting research into travel options and having terrorist publications.

Rahman, from north London, has said he is British-Bangladeshi, while Imran has said he is British.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian police today declared wanted four of the gangsters who participated in the bloody bank robbery incidents in Offa on 4 April, releasing simultaneously their photographs, while in action.

The images provided were the clearest, since the incident exactly a month ago.

The police said the Kwara State Government has also promised a N5 million bounty for information about the suspects, and they listed the hotlines to be contacted as 08062080913, 08126285268,08032365122,07056792065,08088450152.

It was the latest update provided by the police, following the arrest of 20 principal suspects earlier and the recovery of two Beretta Pistols, bullets, phones and SIM cards of some of the victims.

All the suspects are cooperating with the Police in the investigation into the incident. Currently, some of the other gang leaders and principal suspects at large are being identified and their pictures obtained for further investigation, Assistant Commissioner of police, Moshood Jimoh said.

Police asked for public help to apprehend the gangsters still at large and said they have also been placed on INTERPOL Watch list and Red Alert.

Other sister security and safety agencies are equally implored to arrest them and hand over to the nearest Police Station or Formation across the country or avail the Police with any information they may have or come across about these suspects, Moshood said.

Source: NAN

By Isaac Ukpoju

Mr Yahaya Bello, the new commissioner of police in Nasarawa State, assumed office on Friday, according to the commands Police Relations Officer, Mr Kennedy Idirisu.

Idirisu told newsmen on Friday in Lafia that the new commissioner, who replaced Mr Bello Ahmed, was commissioner in charge of election planning and monitoring at the Force Headquarters, Abuja before his deployment.

He said that Bellos predecessor, Bello Ahmed, had been deployed to the Ekiti State command.

Idirisu said that the police boss joined the force in 1984 and had previously served as ACP, Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID) in Edo, Kaduna and Panti, Lagos States respectively.

Source: NAN

By Mustapha Sumaila

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) on Friday arrested one Hafeez Abdulsalam, a suspected trafficker in the South-West who specialises in trafficking young girls to Saudi Arabia.

NAPTIPs Assistant Director of Intelligence, Investigation and Monitoring, Ms Tina Ugwu told NAN after the operation that Abdulsalam had been on NAPTIPs watch list and that he usually brought girls from various states to Abuja before sending them to Saudi Arabia.

Ugwu said that the hotel used by the syndicateAmazonia Guest House at Dagri in Gwagwalada, FCT had been sealed up, while the Manager of the lodge was nabbed.

From our findings, Abdulsalam is a major recruiter of young girls to Saudi Arabia and Dubai because he has been on our Osun states office watch list.

The investigation is still ongoing, we will study all the things we recovered from the hotel and then charge the suspects to court she said.

One of the victims, who gave her name as Rokibat, 22 from Oyo state told NAN that her aunt in Saudi Arabia told her mother to bring her to Saudi through Abdulsalam to be engaged in Housemaid job.

She explained that she met with Abdulsalam in Osogbo who took her to a hospital for medical checkup in preparation for the journey before she was brought to Abuja.

Another victim, Rodiya 23, from Lagos state told NAN that Abdulsalam who is a family friend allegedly promised to take her to Saudi Arabia to earn a living since she was not doing anything.

Rodiya explained that Abdulsalam took her to a hospital in Osogbo for medical test and then brought her to Abuja to process her international passport for the journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Another victim from Kwara, told NAN that her older sister introduced her to Abdulsalam.

The arrested suspect, Abdulsalam who also spoke to NAN, claimed that the company he worked for known as Western Royal Manpower Solution was legal and registered company known to Federal Government.

The suspected trafficker declined further comments, as 13 women suspected to be victims of human trafficking were rescued.

Source: NAN

The World Health Organisation (WHO), says an estimated seven million people worldwide die every year from outdoor and household air pollution.

The organisation revealed on its Twitter handle @WHO on Thursday.

It said that ambient air pollution alone caused 4.2 million deaths in 2016, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an estimated 3.8 million deaths the same year.

7 million people die every year from both outdoor and household

WHO (@WHO)

WHO said that new data from the organisation showed that air pollution levels remained dangerously high in many parts of the world as nine out of 10 people still breath air containing high levels of pollutant.

It said that the poorest and most marginalised people bore the brunt of this burden.

It said that this was because air pollution-related deaths occurred in low and middle income countries in Asia, Africa and middle income countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe and Americas.

New WHO data: 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air

WHO (@WHO)

WHO estimates that around seven million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that penetrates deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system causing diseases such as stroke, heart disease and lung cancer.

Other diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections including pneumonia.

Around three billion people, more than 40 per cent of the worlds population still do not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes which is the main source of household air pollution.

WHO has been monitoring household air pollution for more than a decade and while the rates of access to clean fuels and technologies is increasing everywhere, improvements are not keeping pace with population growth in many parts of the world particularly in Sub-saharan Africa, WHO said.

It quoted WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus as saying: It is unacceptable that over three billion people more of whom are women and children are still breathing deadly smoke every day from using polluting stoves and fuels in their homes.

If we do not take action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving sustainable development.

The organisation said it recognised that air pollution was a critical risk factor for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) which caused an estimated 24 per cent of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25 per cent stroke, 43 per cent chronic pulmonary disease and 29 per cent lung cancer.

WHO said that more than 4,300 cities in 108 countries were now included in its ambient air quality database which collects annual mean concentrations of fine Particulate Matter (PM) such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon.

It said that these pollutants posed the greatest risk to human health and called on countries to reduce their air pollution to annual mean values of 20 ug/m3 (for PM10) and 10 ug/m3 (for PM25).

More countries are measuring and taking action to reduce than ever before. We need to work together to improve air quality

WHO (@WHO)

WHO also called on countries to work together on solutions for sustainable transport, more efficient and renewable energy production and use and waste management.

Source: NAN

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Adamawa Command, says it has commenced intensive surveillance on major routes along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

NDLEA said the move was sequel to the Federal Government ban on the production and importation of codeine into the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Ministry of Health had directed NDLEA offices across the country to ensure strict surveillance of the borders.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Yola, Mr. Yakubu Kibo, NDLEAs Commander in Adamawa, said that the command had taken strategic measures to comply with the Federal Government directive.

As you are aware, Adamawa has porous borders with Cameroon Republican; five of the seven local government areas affected by Boko Haram in the state are directly on the border with Cameroon.

But we have intensified surveillance in collaboration with of sister agencies in these areas to frustrate any attempt to import the substance into the country.

Kibo said that the command recently destroyed over 14,000 tonnes of hard drugs, four tonnes of which were cough syrup with Codeine.

He gave an assurance that the command would frustrate all possible moves to bring the banned drugs into the state and the country in general.

Source: NAN

Embattled Sen. Dino Melaye, who was arraigned in court on Thursday in Lokoja, may have to stay longer with the police as the court has directed he should be remanded in police custody till June 11.

Melaye who is representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the Senate lost his bid to secure bail as the Chief Magistrates Court refused his request.

The Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, ordered that he be remanded in police custody and be brought to court on June 11.

The lawmaker was brought to court in a police ambulance at about 9:17 am and was immensely stretchered into the court by policemen.

Before his arrival, heavily armed policemen taken positions within and outside the court premises to forestall unforeseen circumstances.

The arrival of the senator in court attracted the attention of workers and others who came for transactions.

Other courts within the premises were also not sitting as at the time of this report.

Also, journalists and other persons that had seated in court for hours were all asked to go out for security checks.

At the end, only few were allowed inside.

The senator had before being brought to court was first taken to the SARS headquarters near the NTA office in Lokoja.

Melaye was declared wanted following his refusal to appear before the police to answer to accusations by some arrested suspects, who alleged that the senator supplied them with arms and ammunition.

According to reports, Melaye was conveyed in an ambulance by the police authorities to Lokoja.

Melaye was later brought into the Lokoja Senior Magistrates court, 2, on a stretcher, source said.

He was brought in a Toyota Hiace police ambulance bus with registration number NPF2214D. It was learnt that some journalists who had laid siege to the courtroom were asked to step out for security screening.

In order to face the pending criminal case in Kogi, Dino Melaye was re-arrested on Wednesday after his arraignment in court and perfecting his bail conditions.

The lawmaker representing Kogi West was arraigned by the Police on Wednesday at Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse in Abuja.

He was granted bail in the sum of N90 million by the court, having met the bail condition but was rearrested by the police shortly after his release.

The police in a statement on Wednesday said Melaye was re-arrested for his pending offences of criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

The statement which was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, explained that Melaye will be arraigned without further delay.

The Police investigation team re-arrested Senator Dino Melaye today, 2nd May 2018 after his arraignment at Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse for the pending offences of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms already filed in a Court of competent jurisdiction in Lokoja for which he will be arraigned without further delay, he said.

Moshood said that Melaye was arraigned in Abuja today for criminal conspiracy, causing damage to government property, attempted suicide and escape from lawful custody.

Melayes arraignment in court today according to the police was subsequent to his discharge from the National Hospital after he was confirmed fit for trial.

The Senator landed in the National Hospital after jumping out of a moving police vehicle on Tuesday, April 24.

The police vehicle was conveying him to Lokoja, Kogi State where he is expected to be interrogated by the police in connection with the allegation that he armed some thugs and in relation to other criminal activities.

The police subsequently accused him of making an attempt to commit suicide by jumping out of the vehicle conveying him and falling on the ground, with a threat to implicate the police for his supposed death.

He was also said to have resisted a further attempt by the police to re-arrest him with the help of some persons who allegedly threatened to injure the police officers if they tried to arrest him.

Source: NAN

Senator Dino Melaye has been remanded in police custody until 11 June by a Lokoja senior Magistrates court.

The order was made today after he was arraigned at the court.

The senator who represents Kogi West was brought in a police ambulance at about 9:17 a.m. and was immediately stretchered into the court by policemen.

Before his arrival, heavily armed policemen had taken positions within and outside the court premises to forestall unforeseen circumstances.

The arrival of the senator in court attracted the attention of workers and others who came for transactions.

Other courts within the premises were also not sitting as at the time of this report. Also, newsmen and others that had seated in court for hours were all asked to go out for security checks. At the end, only few were allowed inside.

The senator was charged with illegal supply of arms and money to two thugs, who were arrested earlier and were said to have made confessions.

The senator had, before being brought to court, first been taken to the SARS headquarters near the NTA office in Lokoja.

Melaye yesterday was arraigned at a magistrates court in Abuja and was granted bail for N90 million.

The police immediately rearrested him.

Source: NAN

The police on Thursday arraigned two sisters, Favour Ajula and Oluchi Ajula in an Ikeja Magistrates Court accused of assaulting police inspector by tearing his uniform and dragging his gun.

Favour, a 24-year-old hairdresser; and 18-year-old Oluchi, a nurse, appeared before Magistrate F.F. George on a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault.

The duo, who reside at Iju-Ishaga in Agege area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

George said the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the matter until May 14 for mention.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on April 13 at their residence.

He said the sisters and one Emeka, a teenager, assaulted Insp. Bitrus Zingkur, by tearing his uniform and also dragged his service gun while performing his lawful duty.

Awase said a man went to report to the police that the defendants were after his life.

He added that one Uche Prince, a co-tenant, reported the defendants to police that they wanted to kill him; and the complainant followed him to the house.

When the complainant tried to mediate and settle the disagreement, the two sisters assaulted him.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 174(b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

Section 174 stipulates three years imprisonment for assault, while Section 411 attracts two years jail term for conspiracy.

Source: NAN

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio on Thursday warned against scrapping an international deal on Irans nuclear programme unless there was a good alternative in place.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening to pull out of the agreement, leading to diplomatic tensions with Iran as well as with U.S. allies keen to preserve the agreement.

According to him, if one day there is a better agreement to replace it, it is fine, but we should not scrap it unless we have a good alternative.

I believe the JCPOA the Iran nuclear deal was an important diplomatic victory.

I think it will be important to preserve it but I also believe there are areas in which it will be very important to have a meaningful dialogue because I see the region in a very dangerous position.

I understand the concerns of some countries in relation to the Iranian influence in other countries of the region, so I think we should separate things, Guterres stressed.

Source: NAN

Super Eagles Assistant Coach Salisu Yusuf said on Monday that the Super Eagles would defeat DR Congo in their May 28 friendly, slated for Abuja.

Yusuf, who made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the Eagles would use the match to send signal of hope to Nigerians.

He described friendly matches as fundamental in shaping the fitness of teams, adding that friendly matches were not just meant to record victory but to strengthen teams.

We are sure of winning Congo DR in order to keep our hope in the World Cup alive and tell Nigerians that we are very ready for the task ahead.

The coach pleaded with Nigerians to continue to support the team, assuring that the Eagles would not disappoint.

He said that the Eagles were one of the best teams in Africa, noting that the team had demonstrated its ability at different times.

Yusuf noted that Nigeria had done well in both qualifications and preparations for the World Cup.

He said that the Eagles were determined to make not just Nigeria but Africa proud in Russia.

The Nigeria Football Federation recently announced a change in the venue of the Nigeria-DR Congo friendly from Uyo to Abuja.

Source: NAN

Sixteen football clubs in Enugu State will be locking horns in the 2018 edition of states Federation Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that states Federation Cup is a prelude to the National Federation Cup, which comprises of 62 teams.

Francis Ugwu, Secretary of Enugu State Football Association, told NAN on Tuesday in Enugu that the states Federation Cup matches would be a 21-day fiesta.

Ugwu said that it would commence on May 5; while the finals would be played on May 26.

He noted that all the matches would be played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu (The Cathedral).

The Federation Cup by its nature is a knock out tournament.

Where clubs must win each match; or loss and crush out of the tournament entirely.

We are expecting that among the 16 clubs, a winner and a runners-up will emerge and they will represent the state at the National Federation Cup coming up later in the year, he said.

Ugwu said that the clubs participating in the 2018 edition included: Rangers International FC, Crime Busters FC, Purple Krown FC and Vemard Africa FC.

Others are: Ingas International FC, El-Nahog FC, FC International, Flying Angels FC, Samba FC and Disdevt FC.

The rest includes: Enugu Angels FC, Coal City Youths FC, FC Miserere, Lamray FC, FC Star-Plus and Rangers Feeders FC. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Liverpools Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has been voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association (FWA) to complete the double of English soccers major individual awards.

Salah was chosen as player of the year by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) after an outstanding season in which he has scored 43 goals in all competitions.

The 25-year-old is the first African player to win the FWA award which began in 1948.

Salah narrowly beat Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in a ballot of over 400 FWA members, with the winning margin less than 20 votes.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane was placed third.

What a race it has been between two players who, in a relatively short time, have reached genuine world class. But Mo Salah is the worthiest of winners.

He is also the first African to receive the award and we congratulate him on a magnificent season, FWA Chairman Patrick Barclay said.

Salah has helped Liverpool, who are third in the English Premier League, into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 10 years.

The Merseyside club face AS Roma in the second leg in the Italian capital on Wednesday and lead 5-2 from the opening game at Anfield in which Salah scored twice and set up two other goals.

Salah will head to the World Cup in Russia in June to play for Egypt who have been drawn with the hosts, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group A.

The inaugural FWA Womens Footballer of the Year Award was won by Chelsea and England forward Fran Kirby who was also crowned PFA Womens Player of the Year last month.

Source: NAN

Karim Benzema showed he still has fire power as his brace helped Real Madrid to level scores with Bayern Munich in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final and scrape qualification for the final in Kiev on 26 May.

At the final whistle, it was all square at Santiago Bernabau, with both teams tied 2-2. But Madrid escaped with the 2-1 advantage recorded in Munich last week, making aggregate score 4-3.

Joshua Kimmich had opened scoring for the visitors in the third minute. But Benzema neutralised the goal in the 11 minute with a header. And he shot Madrid ahead one minute after the second half started after a dreadful error by Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich .

Former Madrid player James Rodriguez was on song for Bayern in the 63rd minute, in the nervy match, in which Bayern dominated possession 61-39. Bayern also had more shots on target 8-3, with Madrid keeper Keylor Navas, doing the yeomans job of saving many goal moves.

The victory over Bayern Munich will be Madrids third consecutive final. They become the first club in history to reach three straight European Cup finals for the second time.

They will know their opponent tomorrow after the match in Rome between Liverpool and Roma. Liverpool led the first leg 5-2.

Benzemas two goals on Tuesday night were another feather in the cap for coach Zinedine Zidane, who had decided to start the French striker, despite only one goal in his previous 12 games.

It was another brave call from Reals coach, who now stands on the brink of history himself, with Carlo Ancelotti and Bob Paisley the only other managers to have ever won Europes premier competition three times.

Zidane also sprung a surprise by dropping Casemiro to the bench and bringing the more mobile Mateo Kovacic into midfield while Lucas Vazquez played in the unfamiliar role of right back.

It meant no place again in the starting line-up for Gareth Bale, who was named as a substitute for the fifth time in six knock-out matches. He replaced Benzema in the second half.

Bayern came without a host of star players, with Javi Martinez, Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, Jerome Boateng, Kingsley Coman and Manuel Neuer all injured. Martinez was fit enough to make the bench.

Kimmich had given Bayern the lead after 28 minutes at the Allianz Arena and here he did it in three, slamming home after Sergio Ramos poked Corentin Tolissos cross straight to his feet.

Real were rattled, their fans tetchy, and if Bayern had held on for longer the pressure might have told. Instead, the home side were level by the 11th minute, Benzema peeling free of David Alaba at the back post and heading in.

Marcelo and Toni Kroos both weaved their way into Bayerns six-yard box, but failed to pick a final pass, while at the other end, Vazquez was enduring a torrid time at right back.

After another ball was threaded inside the wingers left shoulder, Robert Lewandowski unleashed and James should have scored but was unable to adjust his body to the follow-up.

A breathless opening 45 minutes ended with Bayern wanting a penalty as the ball struck Marcelo on the arm but referee Cuneyt Cakir waved away the appeals.

Real were certainly the more relieved to hear the half-time whistle but they were given a gift shortly after the restart.

Tolissos backpass was misjudged and underhit but Ulreich still had the chance to clear. Instead, the keeper got his feet in a tangle and ended up in a heap on the floor, presenting Benzema with an open net.

The game looked finished but Bayern came again and after 10 minutes of desperate Real defending, it was no surprise when they scored. James chased down his own rebound before beating Keylor Navas at the near post. The on-loan Colombian chose not to celebrate against his parent club.

Bayern had 27 minutes to find a third and there were a handful of near misses. Thomas Muller was denied by Navas and Mats Hummels headed agonisingly wide in injury time, but Real held on for their fourth final in five years.

*With AFP report.

Source: NAN

Wimbledon announced a hefty 34 million prize-pot on Tuesday, along with a new sustainability project aimed at ensuring it is not just the grass courts that remain green at the All England Club.

Organizers of the oldest grand slam tournament revealed the prize fund, the equivalent of $46.57 million, for the 2018 championships, up 7.6 percent from last year.

That figure includes awards of 2.25 million each for the mens and womens champions an increase on the 2.2 million Roger Federer and Garbine Muguruza received in 2017.

Wimbledons 2018 prize money eclipses the 55 million Australian dollars ($41.32 million) paid out at Januarys first grand slam of the year in Melbourne, but at current exchange rates is just shy of the 39.2 million Euros ($47.18 million) on offer at the French Open starting later this month.

Organizers also issued a warning that players who compete while knowingly carrying an injury, and quit mid-match, face being docked all their first-round prize money. The move is aimed at preventing a repeat of the rash of retirements in early action last year.

In the wake of first-round withdrawals we pledged to act on it, and we have done so, Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis told reporters.

We were very influential in the creation and adoption of the 50-50 rule and hope the introduction of it will play a significant role in mitigating the problems of first-round singles retirements.

Under the new rule, if an injured player withdraws onsite after midday on the Thursday before the Championships they will receive 50 percent of the first-round prize money. The replacement lucky-loser will get the other 50 percent.

With pound signs dominating the headlines at the club in leafy south-west London, tournament organisers also underlined their commitment to combating corruption in the sport and rolling out a sustainability program.

Central to the greening of the championships is a ban on plastic straws some 400,000 were used at last years tournament the introduction of electric vehicles in the courtesy car fleet; additional water-fill points around the grounds and the provision of paper bags at Wimbledons shops.

Sustainability is an important and necessary area of focus, particularly for major events, Lewis said. We have put in place a sustainability vision which is to sustain the running of the club, and the championships in a way that minimizes the impact on our environment.

Organizers also reiterated they would be implementing rules first announced last November.

In addition to stripping players of their first-round prize money if they pull out of a match or perform to what the club deems below professional standards, Wimbledon will strictly enforce warm-up timing to speed up the game, but will also extend the time allowed between points from 20 to 25 seconds.

The U.S. Open, the final grand slam of the tennis calendar starting in August, is yet to announce its prize money.

Wimbledon, the only grand slam event to be played on grass, will take place from July 2-15.

This years championships mark the 150th anniversary of the club, 50 years of Open tennis and 125 years of the womens singles championships.

Source: NAN

Coach Zinedine Zidane said he would not have wanted it any other way after Real Madrid scraped their way into a third consecutive Champions League final on Tuesday.

After their last-gasp win over Juventus in the quarter-finals, Real were left hanging on against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu as Karim Benzemas double secured a 2-2 draw and 4-3 win on aggregate.

When Joshua Kimmich gave Bayern an early lead and James Rodriguez levelled with 27 minutes remaining, Real looked in danger of surrendering their 2-1 advantage from the first leg.

By the end, Reals fans were begging for the full-time whistle and if it is to be Liverpool in the final in Kiev, Jurgen Klopps men will take heart.

Zidane, however, insists the grit his team have shown to overcome Paris Saint-Germain, Juve, and now Bayern, should not be underestimated.

In football, you have to suffer, Zidane said. You cannot be in the final without suffering, its even better, more beautiful when you win like that.

Madrid never gives up. It is the same in adversity, we believe in what we do and we get things done by believing in ourselves and fighting.

Real, and Zidane, are now on the brink of a third consecutive Champions League triumph, and 13th overall in Europes premier tournament.

Whether it be Liverpool or Roma they face in Kiev, Los Blancos will be strong favourites to lift the title.

We are only in the final, Zidane said. You can be happy, you have to be, it is not normal to be in the final for the third consecutive time.

But now that we are, what we have to do is try to win. We will fight to defend our title.

Spectacular Navas

Benzemas two goals were also credit to Zidane, who had picked the striker despite a poor run of form that had included only one goal in 12 games.

He never gave up and Im happy for him, Zidane said. I defended Karim as I defend all my players, I defend them until the end.

Bayern, meanwhile, are left wondering what might have been after dominating large spells of the two legs but paying a heavy price for individual mistakes.

Benzemas second, which proved decisive, was a gift, with goalkeeper Sven Ulreich making a mess of Corentin Tolissos under-hit back pass and allowing the Frenchman to slot into an open net.

If you look at both games it is quite apparent we were the best team, Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said.

Im very disappointed in the result. We dominated, I believe, and they should thank Keylor Navas for his performance in goal, he was spectacular, particularly towards the end of the match.

On Ulreichs error, Heynckes added: He had a little blackout, he got confused, he didnt realise he couldnt pick it up with his hands.

Its terrible for a player to live through such a moment, but nevertheless we did have a lot of opportunities, and all in all our keeper performed well.

Source: NAN