Keshi explains Mikel & Ejide exclusion

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has cleared the air on why he dropped Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and goalkeeper Austin Ejide from the squad to face Chad in June 13’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier billed for Kaduna
The ‘big boss’ in a parley with media said claims that he is having a strained relationship with the former Flying Eagles star is untrue, insisting he had talked about [his exclusion] with him.

Lagos Fire: Gov. Ambode summons tanker drivers for talks

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has summoned Petroleum Products Tanker Drivers’ Union and stakeholders to an emergency meeting on Monday, June 8.
The meeting, Mr. Ambode said, would address the incessant petrol tanker-induced fires in the state.
The governor gave the directive on Saturday during a visit to the scene of the early morning petrol tanker fire at Idimu area of the state.
A similar tanker fire occurred on Tuesday at Iyana-Ipaja area of the state which left several shops and vehicles destroyed.
The Idimu fire which occurred in the wee hours of Saturday at an intersection has also left property worth millions of naira in ruins.
About 34 buildings, 70 shops, one tricycle and one truck were consumed by the fire ignited by a fallen petrol-laden tanker, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
“I have directed that we will meet with the union of the tanker drivers and other agencies on Monday morning, and we must make pronouncements relating to the usage of our roads.
“This is another unfortunate accident within one week; unfortunate because we are beginning to lose a lot of our assets and property,” Mr. Ambode said.
Mr. Ambode also said it had become necessary to check the activities of the tanker drivers and enforce the state traffic laws.
“We do not want this to repeat itself again. I have been briefed that there were two tanker drivers actually competing on the road as at midnight including a commercial bus.
“In the process, one of the tanker drivers conveying 33,000 litres of fuel lost control at the bend and spilled its content to as far as five streets.”
He said 34 houses and 70 shops were destroyed by the fire.
Mr. Ambode also commiserated with those affected by the fire and appealed to them to remain calm.
“We will do immediate relief and take enumeration to see how we can address this issue.
“We will do everything in our might to make sure that they go back to their normal lives,” he said.
Giving an account of how the incident occurred, the Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasak Fadipe, said his men responded to the distress call at about 12.08 a.m. on Saturday.
“The prompt response by the rescue officers with the aid of the community helped to prevent the fire from spreading.
“The effort we put in saved the MRS fuel station from being engulfed by the fire and we also saved several buildings here,” he said.
He said the incident also consumed fire- fighting materials that would have been used to contain about 15 to 20 future fire outbreaks.
“As the governor said, something has to be done about this type of incidents.”
Also speaking, Babatunde Kokumo, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, pledged the support of the Police in addressing the situation.
“We want to see that‎ sanity returns to our roads, particularly sanity among our tanker drivers, tipper drivers and generally among all users of roads in Lagos.
“The government is doing so much for us and we must as a matter of seriousness reciprocate all these gestures by ensuring that we instil sanity,” the DCP said. (NAN)

BREAKING: APC conducts mock election to pick candidate for House of Reps Speakership

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently holding an election to select who will be nominated as the party’s candidate for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The election is holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Femi Gbajabiamila is expected to pick the ticket after his main rival, Dogara Yakubu, stormed out of the venue with his supporters alleging irregularities.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Consolidation Group, comprising members loyal to Mr. Dogara would also carry out a parallel primary at a different venue.

We cannot confirm if the rival election is taking place presently.

However, the spokesperson of the APC, Lai Mohammed, informed us that the party is just trying to be democratic by allowing the members select their speaker on their own.

“Out of 218 members, 160 are already here and minority cannot hold majority to ransom,” he said.

On why Mr. Dogara and his group left, Mr. Mohammed said the argument of the group was that they were not given notice of election.

The party is expected to carry out the same nomination for the Senate. It is not clear yet whether that vote will hold Saturday

Juventus 1-3 Barcelona: Suarez, Rakitic & Neymar deliver Champions League glory

The Spanish side opened the scoring after just four minutes, with Alvaro Morata equalising in the second half before the Uruguayan and the Brazilian secured the win

Barcelona completed a trophy treble in Luis Enrique's debut season in charge as they beat Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League final in Berlin on Saturday.

Luis Suarez produced his most crucial contribution of his short career at Camp Nou when he restored Barca's lead 22 minutes from time to effectively settle the game, after Alvaro Morata had cancelled out Ivan Rakitic's early opener.

A fifth European title looked set to be a more routine ask when Rakitic - the man to perform so capably in replacing the soon-to-depart Xavi this term - opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a trademark Barca goal, which saw nine of their 10 outfield players touch the ball.

However, while Barca enjoyed the better of the first half from there - threatening a Juve back line shorn of Giorgio Chiellini through injury - former Real Madrid man Morata struck early in the second period.

Having scored twice in the two-legged semi-final against his former club, Morata was afforded a simple finish after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had saved an initial effort from Carlos Tevez.

Suarez was the only Barca man not involved in Rakitic's opener, but the Uruguayan provided the crucial touch in his side's second, as he replicated Morata's finish when Lionel Messi's effort was spilled by Gianluigi Buffon.

Neymar had a header disallowed, via a handball, as Barca sought to put the game out of sight late on.

But it proved inconsequential in the end, as the Brazilian added a third with the last touch of the match to ensure that Luis Enrique's side repeated the treble-winning achievement of Pep Guardiola's Barca in his debut season of 2008-09.

The victory also provided Xavi with a successful send-off to his career with the Catalan giants before he joins Qatari club Al Saad.

European success continues to elude Juve, meanwhile, with the Serie A side coming up short in their attempt to win the continent's most prized trophy for the first time since 1996 and their own treble bid.

Barca could barely have hoped for a better start, as Rakitic opened the scoring in style in the fourth minute when he was the beneficiary of a spell of neat passing play that bore all the Spanish giants' familiar hallmarks.

Following Messi's raking pass out to Jordi Alba, Neymar slipped the ball in to Andres Iniesta. He in turn found Rakitic who finished past Buffon from inside the six-yard box to spark wild celebrations on the Barca bench.

The goal came somewhat out of the blue, with Juve having begun on the front foot. And, having fallen behind, the Italians then saw Arturo Vidal display an uncharacteristic lack of composure, as the Chilean smashed a shot over after a great run from Morata.

The Liga champions began to apply further pressure, and Buffon kept out Dani Alves' effort with a superb strong, left-handed save. Vidal was then overzealous in his tackling and narrowly escaped a second early yellow card for crashing into Neymar.

Juve had half-hearted penalty appeals turned away following claims of a foul by Alba on Paul Pogba midway through the half but Barca were largely controlled in possession, apparently content to take the pace out of the game.

The threat of Messi, Neymar and Suarez continued to prove a real menace on the break and the latter twice went close to extending the lead with long-range strikes prior to half-time.

Buffon was handed a let-off when he inexplicably gave the ball away to Neymar deep in his own half but he displayed his vast experience to keep Suarez out again early in the second half after a rapid Barca breakaway.

Barca were hauled level when Morata pounced on Ter Stegen's save after 55 minutes to get Juve back into the game.

Claudio Marchisio's deft backheel helped Tevez into a shooting position and, when the Barca goalkeeper kept that effort at bay, Morata followed up to tap the ball into an empty net.

With Juve buoyed, Tevez and Pogba both went close, but their momentum was abruptly halted by Suarez's close-range finish, coming at a time when the Italian champions were enjoying their most threatening spell.

A trademark dribble from Messi was followed up by a strike that Buffon could not hold, allowing Suarez to tap home his most important Barca goal.

Neymar looked to have wrapped up victory with a header soon after, but the official on the byline spotted his header had deflected off a hand.

Barca legend Xavi was then introduced for his swansong at the expense of long-time midfield companion Iniesta.

It could also prove to be Andrea Pirlo's final Juve game, with the midfield maestro unable to conjure up any late moments of magic before Barca sealed victory when Neymar scored with the final touch of the match following a quick break.

It completed a season many in Catalunya would not have believed possible when Luis Enrique took over from Gerardo Martino in May 2014, and then saw his position questioned following rocky results and a public disagreement with Messi at the turn of the year.

First week in opposition: PDP struggles with the challenge of new status

ABUJA, the nation’s capital city, on Friday, May 29, played host to world leaders. That day, global attention shifted to Abuja for the inauguration of Nigeria’s fifth democratically elected President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Ahead of the inauguration, a sitting president contested an election, lost, conceded victory and handed over to the opposition candidate.
When historians settle down to document the history of Nigeria, it would be part of it that 16 years into PDP’s permutation of close to a century it would be in government, the former ruling party suffered a crushing defeat by the opposition APC, the first time such would happen in our nation’s political history.
Besides the removal of former President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP from office in the election by Buhari, the PDP was also defeated at both the Senate and the House of Representatives elections which it controlled.
PDP, before it crashed in the March 28 election, controlled the National Assembly. In 1999, it had a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives with 214 seats; in 2007, the number rose to 263, but dropped to 208 and 137 in 2011 and 2015 respectively. This period was enough to be a stock taking one for the ruling party, it would have been a period for re- assessment, putting things right and discard the regime of impunity and lack of internal democracy at the time it lost a large number of 55 seats in 2011.
The PDP could not manage its success. At the upper red legislative chambers, the party had 87 seats in 2007, 71 in 2011 and crashed to all time low of 49 in the 2015 general elections. The party would have also seen the handwriting on the wall when it lost 16 senatorial seats in 2011. The bandwagon effect that happened to PDP was not only at the legislative level, but also with the governors which number dropped from 28 states controlled by it in 2003 and 2007 to 23 in 2011 and 13 states in 2015.
With the take off of the APC government of Buhari, the PDP, now in the opposition, will no longer control the government at the centre.
Loyalty
The national secretariat of the party would have been very busy now, but the hands of the clock has changed to the national secretariat of the APC because failure does not have friends. Loyalty must shift and that is beginning to happen with PDP members dumping the party for the APC.
In the first week of being in the opposition, the hitherto very busy Wadata Plaza, the national secretariat of the PDP, has suddenly become virtually empty as the staff do not have work to do, some only come, stay briefly and leave.
Uncertainty is boldly written on the faces of the staff at the PDP national secretariat. They fear there may be downsizing of staff at Wadata Plaza, Peoples Democratic Institute, PDI, and the Legacy House, even as a meeting slated for Monday, May 25 at the National Executive Committee, NEC, hall has been shifted indefinitely.
The leadership of the party, according to a memo signed by the National Director of Administration, Alhaji Gurama Bawa, on behalf of the National Secretary, Professor Adewale Oladipo, dated May 22, with official no PDP/NS/EST/124 and addressed to all the Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, Heads of Departments and all staff, would have used the meeting to brief the staff on the PDP opposition status, the issues on ground and how to adjust to the new challenge.
Members of the National Working Committee, NWC, are also not left out against the backdrop that since President Buhari’s inauguration, penultimate Friday, it was only last Wednesday that they showed up at the national secretariat. But the absence of the leadership of the PDP may not be unconnected with  the one-day retreat of the party’s elected members into the forthcoming National Assembly held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,  Monday, June 1 even as it was gathered that, on Thursday, some of the NWC members travelled to Ekiti State on a solidarity visit to Governor Ayodele Fayose.
The PDP, in its first week in opposition and to prepare for the new challenge, had to organise the one-day retreat which  involved  senators-elect and House of Reps members-elect.
The retreat became  the first official outing of the new governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, to host some of his colleagues from other states, party leaders and stakeholders. Also present at the retreat were Senate President David Mark; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu;  Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha;  Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu,  and Chief Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, represented by his deputy. Former President Jonathan was absent.
Formidable opposition
The retreat, put together by Ekweremadu and held under the theme: “The role of the opposition in facilitating development and good governance”, was  apt and reflective of the promise by the party to present a formidable opposition to the ruling APC.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary,  Chief Olisa Metuh, who promised that the PDP will provide a strong opposition to the APC, said, “Our supporters may think we are weak, it is not being hailed in the social media. Let the President settle down; what we will do is that after one week we clock the mileage, one month, six month, one year, periodically we will assess the between the progress they have made and what happened with the PDP government and Nigerians on their own will decide which party is best to progress democracy in this country.”
If the PDP had won the election at the centre and holding a retreat of this kind, members, supporters,  stakeholders would have been falling over one another because of the large turn out that would have been at the function.
It was a brilliant decision to have been taken by the opposition PDP to hold the retreat in Port Harcourt, Rivers, a South-South state, to save cost and for proximity, especially considering the fact that almost 80% of its elected legislators are from the zone and the South-East. At the  moment, PDP has only four governors outside the South-South and South-East: Darius Isyaku of Taraba ; Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe; Segun Mimiko of Ondo and Fayose of Ekiti.
Speaking at the retreat, Ekweremadu urged PDP members in the yet to be inaugurated National Assembly to  hold the APC accountable to its promises like the release of the Chibok girls, creation of two million jobs every year, among others. “Members of parliament have always been the springboard for their parties’ return to power each time they suffered defeat. The PDP lawmakers in the 8th National Assembly should hold the ruling APC accountable on each of its campaign promises.”
Now that the PDP has rounded off its first week as an opposition party, we watch as it faces the new challenge and as events unfold.

Pay attention to indigenous products — Uwaje

For transparent leadership and governance, the immediate President of Institute of Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, Chris Uwaje who has been preaching local content said that the incoming government must pay attention to locally developed solution to free the country from digital slavery of the western powers.

Buhari

“I am concerned, just like other IT Professionals that while technology is at the center of the electoral processes, this is the time to pay attention to IT as the bedrock of national development. “General Muhammadu Buhari may not deliver the dividend of democracy, unless IT and IT professionals are at the centre of his leadership program” the Oracle of the Nigerian IT industry who championed the IT policy blueprint in 2001 said.
For a digital Nigeria, Uwaje noted that the present administration should set up one hundred billion (N100 billion)   startup transformation budget for ICT ecosystem. He said that this can yield three to five times of the amount in three years . Nothing short of that amount will work, if will want to see the big picture and engage great national transformation with Technology.
To resolve the national IT challenge, Uwaje who many industry watchers see as the next President of the Nigerian Computer Society, (NCS) said that the new government must do the following: *Establishment of the Office of the Chief Information Technology Officer of the Federation. *Refocus national IT Development Agenda on Digital Knowledge Capacity building and National Software Development.
* Establish a Presidential ICT Advisory council chaired by the President *Make the patronage of Indigenous Software and Hardware mandatory and priority for both he Public and Private Sector. *Encourage the establishment of ICT-enabled Outsourcing Centres *Establishment of at lease 12 Digital Knowledge/IT Parks within the next 24 months
*Upgrade the Computer Science Department in Nigerian Universities into a Faculty of Computer Science to spur and accelerate Innovation and creativity. *Encourage the contractual recruitment and engagement of at lease, 2,000 Foreign Computer Science & IT Lectures to collaborate with Nigerian lecturers in Computer Science re-engineer computer Science education for the next 4 years.
To actualize this, according to the Presidential aspirant of NCS, government   should establish a N100 billion Litmus Package to invigorate Innovation in the ICT Domain and also establish a special platform for National Competition on Digital Knowledge Hackathon and IT Innovation. This should be named: DEMO Nigeria
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/pay-attention-to-indigenous-products-uwaje/?#sthash.urJ2xd5v.dpuf

UN: Nigeria president must investigate crimes by Boko Haram, military

[JURIST] The United Nations [official website] High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday called on new Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari [JURIST news archive] to investigate reports of both military abuses and crimes committed by the Islamist rebel group Boko Haram [BBC profile]. The top human rights official, Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein [official profile], in a statement said [Reuters report], "Civilians in northeast Nigeria have been living through horrifying acts of cruelty and violence by Boko Haram. These include wanton killings, summary executions, forced participation in military operations - including the use of children to detonate bombs, forced labour, forced marriage and sexual violence, including rape." There have also been reports that many civilians have suffered abuses by military forces, who have been detaining them in what Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] has called a "witch hunt" to locate and fight members of Boko Haram. AI also called on Buhari [JURIST report] earlier this week to investigate into any possible crimes committed at these detention camps.

Boko Haram [JURIST news archive], which means "Western education is a sin," has been fighting to overthrow the Nigerian government in the interest of creating an Islamist state. Two weeks ago the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, reported that Boko Haram militants in Nigeria have been murdering women and girls [JURIST report] previously taken captive by the group. At the end of March Nigeria held its presidential and gubernatorial elections in spite of violent attacks directed towards voters [JURIST report] by Boko Haram. The elections, originally scheduled for February 14, were postponed [Washington Times report] as Nigeria attempted to eradicate Boko Haram after reports that the group had acquired military-grade weaponry, including armored personnel carriers. In February the UN reported that girls have been attacked [JURIST report] and been subjected to gender oppression in at least 70 countries for seeking an education. In January the UN Security Council condemned attacks by Boko Haram in Nigeria [JURIST report] and called for an end to terrorist attacks and the release of abducted child soldiers. The hostilities included mass killings, destruction of civilian homes and suicide bombings where children where induced to carry out the attacks.

D’Banj Reveals Details About His Journey To Stardom

D’Banj in an exclusive interview has spoken on his latest project, anniversary and journey so far.
D’Banj Reveals Details About His Journey To Stardom
D’Banj spoke of working on “Coming To America” music project for about 6 months, celebrating his 10th year anniversary, million dollar Jesus piece jewelry given to him by Kanye West, exclusive info about his latest music video, being inspired by Beyonce.

He revealed that he has already filmed 5 videos , paving the way for international artist, Ciroc sponsorship and more.
D’Banj also talked about being the P.Diddy, Michael Jackson, and Jay Z of Africa.
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The interview was filmed by Champion Studio, in collaboration with Lafamedia Productions, iCirculate & Kedu TV.

Dear Women, Value Yourself! -Caroline Danjuma

Popular Nollywood actress, mother of two and wife of billionaire, Caroline Danjuma, has talked about women who cheapen themselves in front of men.
Dear Women, Value Yourself! -Caroline Danjuma
The actress took to her Instagram page to share a photo, airing her displeasure at women being like cheap commodities to men these days.

Read what she wrote below:
“Women are now like cheap commodities to men… ��It’s like going to a yard sale… Gone were the days men would cross oceans and climb mountains…No respect no value.. At the end it’s all our fault… You are a rare gem ,the bible says we are like rubies . #putapricetag.”
The fair-skinned Akwa Ibom actress has kept a low quiet life since she got married to her billionaire husbanD
READ MORE: http://www.naij.com/453707-dear-women-value-yourself-caroline-danjuma.html

FIFA Scandal: Warner Set to Spill the Bean

Says he 'fears for life' because of the avalanche of secrets he knows
Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report
The man at the centre of the corruption scandal rocking world football ruling body, FIFA, disgraced former Vice President, Jack Warner, has said he fears for his life and can prove a link between football's governing body and an election in Trinidad and Tobago.


Warner, one of 14 people wanted by US authorities as part of the corruption scandal rocking world football, said he had an "avalanche" of secrets that include details on FIFA's outgoing President Sepp Blatter.


"I will no longer keep secrets for them," he said in a paid political broadcast shown on Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago.
"I reasonably and surely fear for my life," he declared and added "not even death will stop the avalanche that is coming."
Now facing extradition to the United States over the charges, Warner, a former minister of national security, is a key figure in the drama that led to Blatter's stunning resignation on Tuesday.


He said he has compiled a file of documents that shows "a link between FIFA, its funding and me, the link between FIFA its funding and the United National Congress (UNC) and the People's Partnership government in (Trinidad and Tobago's) general election 2010."
Warner also said his file "deals with my knowledge of international transactions at FIFA, including its president Mr Sepp Blatter and, lastly, other matters involving (Trinidad and Tobago's) current prime minister."


Warner was a vice president of FIFA and head of the confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). Amid multiple fraud allegations, FIFA suspended him from all duties in 2011.


In the January 2010 UNC internal election, Warner endorsed Kamla Persad-Bissessar as UNC leader. She went on to be elected the country's first woman prime minister, but Warner later broke with her government and party.
Warner said that Blatter was directly "implicated" in his suspension.


The Trinidad official, free on bond after his arrest last week, said he would fight extradition to the United States. "I have no intention of allowing them to deprive me of my freedom," he said.

‘FIFA Paid Ireland to Stave off Litigation’
Football Association of Ireland Chief Executive, John Delaney, has claimed that his country was considering legal action against FIFA after the 2009 match in Paris when Thierry Henry's infamous handball assist goal by Sylvain Wiltord  was allowed to stand in a 1-1 draw after extra-time.


Ireland went out of the tournament 2-1 on aggregate over the two legs to be denied qualification for the finals in South Africa, and the financial rewards that would have brought to the country.


Henry controlled the ball with a hand before setting up Wiltord as Ireland tumbled out in the most contentious of circumstances with the referee and his officials all missing it.


This claim of a FIFA pay-off is the latest in a long list of dreadful allegations to haunt FIFA and their outgoing President, Sepp Blatter, who Delaney claimed sniggered and laughed at the Irish after their defeat to the French.
"We felt we had a legal case against FIFA because of how the World Cup play-off hadn’t worked out for us with the Henry handball," said Delaney on The Ray D'Arcy Show yesterday on RTE Radio One.


"Also the way (Sepp) Blatter behaved, if you remember on stage, having a snigger and having a laugh at us. That day when I went in, and I told him how I felt about him, there were some expletives used. We came to an agreement.


"That was a Thursday and on Monday the agreement was all signed and all done. It’s a very good agreement for the FAI and a very legitimate agreement for the FAI. I’m bound by confidentiality for naming the figure.


"You’ve put a figure out there and fair play to you. It was a payment to the association to not proceed with a legal case. In there they signed a confidentiality agreement where I can’t talk about the amount involved.

Safarova Beats Ivanovic to Reach First French Open Final

Lucie Safarova recovered from a shaky start to book a place in her first ever Grand Slam final with a straight sets victory over Ana Ivanovic in the French Open semi-finals.


Safarova, the number 13 seed from the Czech Republic, overcame anxious moments at the start and finish to defeat 2008 Roland Garros champion Ivanovic 7-5 7-5.

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A pre-match huddle with boyfriend and Bayern Munich star, Bastian Schweinsteiger appeared to be doing the trick for Ivanovic as she raced into a 5-2 lead. The Serb served for the set, but completely imploded as Safarova won five games in a row to snatch the opener.
The Czech, who defeated reigning champion Maria Sharapova earlier in the tournament, has yet to drop a set in Paris and it didn't take long for her to move within sight of the final.


Ivanovic had two big opportunities in the second game of the second set but could not convert, allowing Safarova to recover and secure her own break immediately after surviving the close call.


Safarova failed to serve out the match at 5-4, but another break gave her a second opportunity at 6-5 - and this time the 28-year-old from Brno held off the nerves to triumph in one hour and 52 minutes.


Safarova, hoping to become the first Czech to lift the Suzanne Lenglen trophy since Hana Mandlikova in 1981, will face either world number one Serena Williams or surprise Swiss semi-finalist Timea Bacsinszky in tomorrow showpiece match.
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What Ambode Can Do for Sports in Lagos

I have always believed that sport as an instrument for social development, economic advancement and national mobilisation has never been used quite effectively in our country. For me, the sports industry in Nigeria has remained largely undeveloped and greatly neglected. The irony is that, if developed to its full potential, sports can bring innumerable advantages that can open vistas of opportunity needed for development.


For a government desirous of fighting crime, engaging  restive youths, creating employment and mobilising its population for positive growth it is bewildering why sports is not being used to achieve these objectives.


Since independence successive governments have paid lip service to sports development in the mistaken belief that it is mainly for recreational purposes and that their responsibility lies more in providing facilities for recreation. It is ironic that in this self-appointed role it has been failing as we see these centres being taken over by the noveau riche. Because of this role misconception, funding sport is always running a distant second behind health, education, defence etc. But the truth is that developing sport to its full potential would help almost every other aspect of government responsibility.


As Nigeria enters a new administration, perhaps now is the time to draw government's attention to a few issues that could be considered in developing a template for sport in our country.


I think it is more imperative now to see what advantages there would be for our country if governments pay a little more attention to sport. Can you imagine what opportunities would be provided for mass mobilisation  if for instance our country gets to win four gold medals in athletics, one gold, one silver in football and at least a gold each in wrestling, boxing and weightlifting in the next Olympics  in Brazil. Such a feat would bolster our national sense of well being, would further enhance our unity and open the Nigerian state to increased opportunities in the business of sport (which financial experts predict would be one of the two main movers of world economy in this century).

I do not believe government can adequately fund sport. Its role is to create an enabling environment for sport to develop and thrive. Government policy should be such that there would be a synergy between the various publics of sports such that would enhance its development.

I was sufficiently thrilled when the new Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, in a pre-inauguration speech announced that he would develop sport in the state by ensuring that component communities are encouraged to partner his government to create a template which would see the emergence of community sponsored sport associations that would develop and nurture sport in the state.


According to him, his government would use the state/communities partnership to change the state not only in the provision of sporting and recreational facilities but in wedging the people of Lagos into a solidified and united citizenry where everyone would regard Lagos as home and where they belong. For Ambode, who enumerated this view at the Town Hall Meeting he attended at NightShift Coliseum shortly before winning the  gubernatorial election,  the special nature of Lagos makes it imperative for government to devise a means of enhancing cohesion and integration of all those who live in the state. If the Lagos model works what we will have is a society that has been opened up to keep our youths off crime while getting them adequately recreated. Eventually we will have a society that is able to get its young ones off drugs and stay healthy.


This will be a carry-on of the Fashola approach where the tendency of government is to open up the state by providing many sporting facilities. In competitions, Lagos State may not come first now but it has a pool that sooner than later will provide the best in the country. Already, the state is producing the best boxers and table tennis players. Soon leaders will emerge in other sports. More importantly, a new generation of Nigerians would be created that are not Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik or Edo but Nigerians living in Lagos with undiluted allegiance to the state. They will be known as Lagosians and they will excel in sports.

2017 AFCON QUALIFIERS: Enyeama Leads Eagles Training for Chad

Super Eagles’ captain, Vincent Enyeama, yesterday led eight of the 15 invited foreign-based players to a training session in Abuja preparatory to the Africa Cup of National (AFCON) match against Chad.

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The Super Eagles are expected to arrive in Kaduna on June 7, ahead of the AFCON qualifying match against Chad on June 13.
The foreign-based players at the training session include; Leon Balogun, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo, John Ogu, Steve Ukoh, William Troost-Ekong, Babatunde Michael and Anderson Esiti.


The session was conducted in the rain under the supervision of Head Coach Stephen Keshi.
Media Officer of the team, Toyin Ibitoye, said that the remaining players were expected to arrive camp last night.
He, however, said Aaron Samuel and Ahmed Musa who had the permission of coach to arrive later because of `some peculiar factors’.
Ibitoye said four Warri Wolves players led by Azubuike Egwuekwe left the team’s camp yesterday to join their teammates for their continental engagement.


The other players are Daniel Akpeyi, Solomon Kwambe and Gbolahan Salami.
The quartet is expected to feature for Wolves against AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville, in the Cup play-off, second leg of CAF Confederation match on Saturday at the Warri City Stadium.
Meanwhile, Volyn of Ukraine forward, Babatunde Michael, has said Nigeria’s Super Eagles wish to start their AFCON 2017 qualifying campaign on a high by beating Chad.


"There are no minnows anymore in football, so the question of underrating any side does not come in,” he said.
“We are focused to start on a high and that is getting the available three points in our first game."
Michael also expressed delight on his return to the national team.


“I am very happy to be back to the team.
"It was really a difficult time for me after the World Cup going in and out of injuries but now that am back and better, I am ready to give 200 per cent to ensure that we start our campaign on a high," concludes Michael.

Eagles Step up in FIFA Ranking

Super Eagle

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed two steps and are in seventh position in Africa and 43rd in the world with 681 points, according to the latest world ranking released by FIFA yesterday.

The Super Eagles, previously ninth in Africa and 45th in the world, moved above Guinea and Congo to improve from last month’s ranking.
Algeria is the new number one nation in Africa after pushing off 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winners Cote d’Ivoire who have slipped to second.

The top ten African sides are Algeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Guinea, Congo and Cameroun.
World champions Germany are still top of the pile in the world with 1,775 points followed by European powerhouse Belgium and Argentina, runners-up at the last Mundial, in second and third places respectively.
AFRICA’S TOP TEN
Algeria
Cote d’Ivoire
Tunisia
Ghana
Senegal
Cape Verde
Nigeria
Guinea
Congo
Cameroun

Kylie Jenner slams Chris Brown for making fun of Caitlyn Jenner

Kylie Jenner, Tyga, Kendall Jenner and Chris Brown have all been pictured together on several occasions and known as friends. They were even together on Wednesday on one of the singer's and rapper's music video, so she was upset when she saw that Chris shared the meme of her Dad/Caitlyn on his page.

Kylie Jenner slammed Chris Brown for insulting Caitlyn Jenner's gender transition on Instagram after he shared the Science Project meme of Caitlyn Jenner which Snoop Dog posted on his IG page.

She also said 'Not very nice to say about your friends dad.

Chris has since deleted the photo from his page but Snoop Dogg still has his own up.

New Study in Nigeria Finds One in 10 Malaria Drugs is of Poor Quality

Paul Obi in Abuja
A new research released recently has indicated that substandard medicines are more prevalent than fakes in the world’s most malaria-burdened country, Nigeria.


A rigorous analysis of more than 3,000 anti-malaria drugs purchased in Enugu, Nigeria found 9.3 per cent to be of poor quality, according to a new research published in PLOS ONE.


Researchers found 1.2 per cent of the samples to be falsified and 1.3 per cent to be degraded, but raised bigger concerns about 6.8 per cent being of substandard manufacture, leaving patients at risk of not receiving the correct treatment dose and potentially contributing to the development of resistance to the main drug used to treat malaria.
The drug quality team of the Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) Consortium at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine analysed 3,024 anti-malaria drugs containing artemisinin (the component that makes malaria treatment effective) from Enugu Metropolis, South-east Nigeria, which has a population of 3.3 million.


Nigeria is the single most heavily malaria-burdened country in the world, with 48 million malaria cases and 180,000 deaths per year.


Dr Harparkash Kaur, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who led investigators of the drug quality programme of the ACT Consortium, said:

“Although these results raise concerns, they are reassuring in comparison with previous reports that found that more than 35 per cent of antimalarials in sub-Saharan Africa failed chemical content analysis – in other words, were poor quality.


“This may be because those reports predominantly used a ‘convenience’ approach to select samples for analysis, which may not be representative of the places where patients buy their medicines.”


The team purchased medicines from 421 outlets in Enugu including pharmacies, patent medicine vendors, and public health facilities.


In addition to ‘convenience’ sampling, which lacks systematic guidance on which outlets to sample from, samples were also bought from a representative sample of outlets.


Two approaches were used in the representative sampling: a covert approach, using “mystery clients” in which researchers pretended to be patients with malaria, or their relatives, asking to buy medicines; and an “overt” approach, where researchers told vendors openly that they were going to analyse the quality of their malaria medicines.


Each sample was analysed in three independent laboratories in the UK and USA and classified as acceptable quality, falsified (fake drugs which do not contain the stated active pharmaceutical ingredient or API), substandard (which contain inadequate amounts of the active ingredients), or degraded (decomposition of the API by poor storage conditions, such as heat and humidity).


All three sampling methods detected falsified drugs, but the prevalence was higher in samples purchased using the convenience approach.


Falsified samples contained chemicals other than the stated API, such as chlorzoxazone (a muscle relaxant), ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) or acetaminophen (a commonly used painkiller).


The team also identified artemisinin-based monotherapy tablets, which are no longer recommended by the World Health Organization because they do not include the partner compound that makes it an effective artemisinin-based combination therapy.


It is believed that some of these monotherapies were also falsified. Substandard or degraded drugs were more prevalent than falsified ones in Enugu. Poor quality drugs were frequently found in patent medicine vendors – also known as drug shops, which are the main source of treatment for most patients – rather than in pharmacies.


Study co-author, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, from the University of Nigeria, Enugu said: “The results show that the health system actors should be eternally vigilant in Nigeria and in other countries to ensure that sub-standard drugs do not impede or erode gains made in malaria treatment. Drug regulatory authorities and their partners should intensify drug quality monitoring activities with appropriate sanctions for defaulters.”


The ACT Consortium’s large drug quality programme, which has analysed over 10,000 samples from six malaria endemic countries over five years, had recently published results from Tanzania and Cambodia, where substandard medicines were of similar concern but where no falsified medicines were found. Results from Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Rwanda will be published in the next few months.


The ACT Consortium is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.


The research further leaves a dent on the federal government’s efforts to not only reduced substandard medicines but also fight malaria.

Senate Presidency: Fresh Intrigues Threaten APC’s Bid For Consensual Leadership

With just about 72 hours to the inauguration of the Eighth Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, fresh intrigues are threatening the delivery of a consensually agreed leadership for the upper house of the parliament.
This reality might indeed have contributed to the decision by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to defer its earlier proposed interactive session with parliamentarians-elect, originally scheduled for Thursday June 4, 2015, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.


The parley was shifted by 48 hours and will now hold today, Saturday June 6, 2015.
Following the formal enunciation of a template which will guide the emergence of the Senate President and his Deputy by the National Working Committee, NWC, of the APC during the body’s maiden post inauguration visit to President Muhammadu Buhari early in the week, the challenge of the geo-political zones to produce both leaders was believed to have been streamlined.
Among others, the criteria listed for the eventual emergence of the Senate President included the fact that such a person:
Must come from the zone which contributed the largest block of votes to the birth of the new dispensation, outside the North West, which has already produced the President;
Must be free of all encumbrances and entanglements of corruption and similar scandals and controversies; and
The choice of such a person must respect ranking and seniority, consistent with the extant rules and regulations of the National Assembly. Arising from this, it was clear the incoming Senate President will have to come from the North East geo-political zone which produced the second largest harvest of votes for the APC during the March 28, 2015 presidential and national assembly elections.
And Ahmed Lawan, re-elected for the third time to the Senate to represent Yobe North and an aspirant for the Senate Presidency, fitted the bill. Lawan and George Akume, representing Benue North West in the Eighth Senate, also for the third term, had earlier been thrown up as the ideal prospective Senate leadership pairing, by a group of Senators-elect, better known as the Unity Group, at their May 22, 2015 retreat.


Akume, an erstwhile frontrunner for the Senate Presidency had been persuaded by the leadership of the APC, in the light of socio-political realities and dynamics, to subsume his ambition and collapse his structures into that of Lawan, to make for a Lawan/Akume ticket, which he did.
The proposed pairing has been generally applauded as perfect. This is against the backdrop that it respects the nation’s secularity as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic and also passes the ranking and seniority test of the National Assembly, without compromising the qualities of both legislators, who are very highly regarded by their colleagues.
It emerged after the conclusion of the Seventh Senate last Thursday, however, that Bukola Saraki, another aspirant for the Senate Presidency, however, will stop at nothing to be accommodated in the emerging leadership structure of the Eight Senate, even if this runs against the grain.
With the criteria set for the prospective leadership of the upper chambers gradually eroding his chances, Saraki has been reportedly hatching a fall-back plan to emerge as Deputy to Lawan and has  been in talks with his allies and select members of the NWC.
While the group of ‘Like Minds’ which had hitherto powered his project with former House of Representatives Member and Senator-elect, Dino Melaye leading the charge, another group anchored by Abu Ibrahim, Deputy Minority Leader to Akume has discreetly joined the fray. Ibrahim, who will be representing Katsina South Senatorial Zone in the Eighth Senate, has since drafted APC stalwarts like Farouk Aliyu, Adamu Adamu and Hadi Sirika into the new scheme, to help liaise with senators from their respective states and zones.
While Saraki had hitherto laid claims to support from the majority of APC Senators for his presidential bid, 35 out of the 59 APC Senators-elect last Thursday endorsed a five-point resolution in support of the Lawan/Akume ticket. The number is expected to rise to 40. And this has definitely left the erstwhile ranks of Saraki’s supporters massively depleted, which explains his reported resort to ‘Plan B.’


Saraki, however, is facing strident objection from several quarters, particularly his home state of Kwara. A release titled: Kwara Deserves Salvation, Not Senate Presidency, jointly signed by Emmanuel Folusho Olaosebikan, Abdullahi Alhaji Yaru, Ibrahim Oladimeji Baba Agba and Makun Aliyu Manko, published in Thisday of June 5, 2015, is instructive.
The statement notes inter-alia:
‘If Senators make the mistake of voting this candidate as their President, Nigerians will witness the institution of a parallel structure of governance, just as he used the Nigerian Governors’ Forum as base of power between 2007 and 2011... He is merely going to use the Senate Presidency as stepping stone to the Presidency in 2019.’
Political observers have also lampooned what they describe as the Saraki’s desperation and inordinate ambition which if allowed to fester, could upset the national confidence which the new administration is trying to build.
According to a dependable source at the National Headquarters of the APC in Abuja, ‘Nigerians invested their collective hopes and emotions in the party, despite the profound hate campaign mounted by the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, that it was an Islamic party. The APC will not sacrifice that confidence on the altar of anybody’s egoistic ambition.’



Speaking further, the source noted: ‘At the onset of the APC, names like Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Bisi Akande, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Lai Mohammed, Kashim Imam Ibrahim, Nasir El Rufai, Aliyu Wamakko, Abubakar Audu and the like, constituted the more prominent front liners. The movement later gained cross-national appeal, but every attempt was made by the opposition to stigmatise the party along religious lines. Thank God for the belief by Nigerians that our party holds the key to socio-economic change. We cherish this and everything will be done to sustain this belief in us.’ The source assured that Nigerians apprehensions will be assuaged when the leadership of the National Assembly eventually emerges.
‘Ours is a party of progressives, don’t forget. We are bound by the Constitution of the Federal Republic, particularly on the sensitive matters of religion and creed. It is indeed for this reason you must also allow Mr President settle down to ensure balance also geo-ethnic and religious lines in his appointments.’
As at press time, Senators Barnabas Gemade and Solomon Ewuga, were at the head of a North Central delegation to hold meetings APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and former Vice - President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of today’s rescheduled parley of APC National Assembly members.

Tags: Politics, Nigeria, Featured, senate, APC, Consensual Leadership

Yola blast: Hospital urges public to donate blood

The Federal Medical Centre Yola, has called on members of the public to donate blood to victims of Thursday’s bomb blast that occurred at Yola MARKET.
The spokesperson of the centre, Mohammed Dodo, made the call Friday in Yola in an interview.
Mr. Dodo said the hospital blood bank and other facilities such as drugs had been overstretched as a result of the incident.
“As I am speaking to you, we have 31 dead and 22 people seriously injured,” Mr. Dodo said.
The chief medical director of Yola Specialist Hospital, Bala Saidu, said 44 people were admitted to the hospital with various degrees of injury, out of which 25 have been treated and discharged.
“We only have 19 people now on admission,” Mr. Saidu said.
He said all bodies from the incident had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre.
Meanwhile, the Lamido of Adamawa, Barkindo Mustapha and Adamawa Deputy Governor, Martins Babale, have visited the scene and victims of the incident.
They condemned the blast and urged the public to be more vigilant.
The Thursday night blast, which is the first in Yola town according to the spokesperson of the Adamawa Police Command, Othman Abubakar, was carried out by two suicide bombers who are among the dead.
(NAN)

Fugitive Senator-elect, Kashamu, hid in toilet for 6 days during NDLEA raid — Lawyer

A Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, wanted by the United States government for alleged drug offences, hid in his apartment’s toilet in Lagos for six days as Nigerian anti-narcotic agents raided his home and placed him under house arrest two weeks ago, his lawyer said Thursday.

The lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, told a federal court in Lagos that Mr. Kashamu remained in hiding while 20 masked operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency took over his bedroom.

Mr. Oluyede said despite an earlier ruling of the court that the NDLEA lift its siege on Mr. Kashamu’s home, the agency only withdrew its personnel after he was compelled to sign an undertaking.

‘’The only reason they left was because I signed an undertaking,” Mr. Oluyede said. “My client was in a toilet for six days with 20 masked armed men in his bedroom. So, I signed the undertaking before they left. They should not claim to have obeyed the order of the court.”

Mr. Kashamu’s lawyer urged the court to nullify any warrant of arrest that might have been obtained by the NDLEA from any source in an attempt to extradite his client.

The judge, Ibrahim Bubba, ‎ordered the Attorney General of Nigeria, the NDLEA not to take any further action to extradite Mr. Kashamu to the United States, until the proceedings before him are determined.

Repeating his earlier orders, Justice Buba said ‘’at the expense of being repetitive, the defendants who are alleged contemnor are once again ordered not to do anything that will undermine the suit before the court. It is the duty of all parties to obey the order of court’’.

‘’Therefore, counsel should note that the motion to set aside the orders of court and the main application has not been argued. So the court has to adjourn this matter in order for parties to be served appropriately so that justice can be done,” he stated.

He said the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction subsists until they are set aside.

He said whether the orders were made rightly or wrongly, parties are bound by that order of the court no matter how perverse the order may seem to be.

‎

Justice Buba therefore adjourned the suit to June 19 for hearing of contempt proceedings against the former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, and the NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade.

Obasanjo appointed co-Chair of InterAction Council

The InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government has appointed former President Olusegun Obasanjo co-chair of the Council at the 32nd Annual Plenary Meeting in Newport, United Kingdom Friday.

Mr. Obasanjo was a founding member of the InterAction Council, taking a leave for the years when he resumed office as President in 1999. He is the first African member to assume the chairmanship.

×Ads by Lights Cinema 1.5beta“I am humbled to have been elected as Co-Chair of the InterAction Council, a position that has been held by some of my great friends who were also my mentors over the years – Helmut Schmidt of Germany and the late Malcolm Fraser of Australia – and also to serve alongside my longtime friend Jean Chrétien, the former Prime Minister of Canada,” said President Obasanjo.

“We will continue the Council’s important work, but also look at some issues that are of particular concern to me, like youth engagement and EMPLOYMENT. Africa has many problems but also great opportunities, and the IAC will look at both,” he said.

Mr. Obasanjo has governed Nigeria as both the head of a military administration (1975-1979) and then again as a democratically elected civilian president (1999-2007).

He was thrust into power in Nigeria following the assassination of military ruler General Murtala Muhammed in 1976.

As deputy, he took over as head of state but committed to the restoration of civilian government in Nigeria.

His administration set up the Constitution Drafting Committee and the Constituent Assembly, introduced the N20 CURRENCY and established “Operation Feed the Nation,” which evolved into the “Green Revolution.”

In 1979, under President Obasanjo, the military stepped aside and handed power to a democratically elected president, returning Nigeria to civilian rule. He was the first head of state and government on the African continent to ever relinquish power to a democratically elected government, peacefully and voluntarily.

President Obasanjo returned to power in Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 after winning two civilian elections – 20 years after he relinquished power to civilian rule.

President Obasanjo is the author of several works, many of which were inspired by his brief false imprisonment for his alleged role in a military coup in 1995. These including Guide to Effective Prayer, The Animal Called Man (1999) and Exemplary Youth in a Difficult World (2001). In 2000, he also published his memoirs, Sermons from Prison.

President Obasanjo assumes the position of Co-Chair of the InterAction Council from Franz Vranitzky, former Chancellor of Austria (1986-1997), who served as Co-Chair from 1 July 2010 until now.

×Ads by Lights Cinema 1.5betaEstablished in 1983, the InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government is an international organization whose objective is to address political, economic and social problems confronting humankind. The Council’s membership is comprised of more than thirty former heads of state who jointly develop proposals for action and submit them directly to national and international decision-makers.

In its 32-year history, the InterAction Council has been at the forefront of many prominent issues, most notably the 1997 drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, a document that counterbalances the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the 2010 Hiroshima Declaration, a powerful plea for the abolishment of nuclear weapons; and the 2012 REPORT, The Global Water Crisis: Addressing an Urgent Security Issue.

Nigerian Civil Society launch “Buharimeter” to track Buhari’s campaign vows delivery

A civic group has launched an online application to track the delivery of pre-election promises made by Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari.
The web-app, announced on Monday, holds data on all promises made by both the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and Mr. Buhari while campaigning for the 2015 general elections.
It is part of the digital governance revolution in Nigeria, helping the use of online tools to deepen the country’s democracy and make government accountable and transparent, its creators said.
The app was built by the Centre for Democracy and Development with support from Open Society Foundation West Africa and a leading budget data analytics, Budgit.
Buharimeter measures the implementation of Mr. Buhari’s campaign promises and displays a visual report. It documents promises made by the current government in different sectors for easy tracking.
The performance of the government will be measured using three related methods.
First, it will crowdsource Nigerians’ contributions to discussions, comments on policy pronouncements of the government in achieving its set targets and surveys.
Second, it will carry out policy and media monitoring exercise.
“Policy statements will be acquired, analysed and used as basis for gauging the performance of the government,” Idaya Hassan, director of the centre said.
The third approach is physical checks on projects.
At its launch on Monday, three days after the president was sworn in, the website showed that no project had been achieved, and none declared “not achieved” either.
Its “On-going” bar had a slight fill of green, attributed to the president’s secret declaration of his assets. The president had promised to declare his assets publicly.
He is yet to do so.

Reus: I have no regrets over Borussia Dortmund renewal

Marco Reus has insisted that he has no regrets over his decision to sign a new contract with Borussia Dortmund earlier this season.

The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a transfer at the end of the 2014-15 campaign before he agreed a new deal until June 2019 back in February to end speculation about his future.

Pogba can achieve whatever he wants, says Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes Paul Pogba can go as far as we wants in football.

The Frenchman is widely regarded as one of the most exciting players around in the game and has attracted attention from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

On Saturday, the 22-year-old can add to the Serie A titles and Coppa Italia he has already claimed in his career with the Champions League, if Juve beat Barca in the final.

‘Empire’ Creator Pitches Diana Ross For New Season

Cookie better watch her back ... "Empire" creator Lee Daniels has got another diva in mind for the hit series – Diana Ross.

Daniels chatted up our photog outside Craig’s in West Hollywood, and while Taraji P. Henson got a 10 for her rump shaking gone viral … talk of Ross for the new season got Daniels so flustered he forgot to pay for parking.

True endless love is at work here, folks. Nothing says "Music. Family. Power." like a true O.G. diva.

50 Cent I'm Ballin’ ... In My New Undies!

50 Cent doesn’t wear just any underwear… he wears FRIGO -- his own high-end line …. and he’s bulging out there for the world to see.

We got pics from the rapper’s FRIGO RevolutionWear underwear campaign and he's jacked ... very big.

Fiddy partnered with Carmelo Anthony, Derek Jeter and Timbaland for the upscale line, but we’re told he’s the only one stripping down for billboards.

The undies don’t come cheap – the exclusives cost $100 a pop ... 'cause, you know, Fifty is always gettin' rich or gonna die tryin'.

I renew my pledge to crush Boko Haram – Buhari

 President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Niger Republic renewed his vow to crush the Boko Haram Islamic sect, saying “five years of the presence of this evil sect is enough.”

Speaking at a news conference in Niger during his first visit outside the country since inauguration, Buhari expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian military to overcome and eradicate Boko Haram.

At the news conference with Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou, he also said that Nigeria will soon take over from Nigerien soldiers who occupy towns liberated from the Islamist militant group. He noted that the Nigerian Army which has earned a good reputation worldwide remains a virile fighting force.

Juventus defender Chiellini ruled out of Champions League final

Juventus have received a big blow ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona after confirming that Giorgio Chiellini will miss the game due to injury.

The influential defender pulled up in training on Wednesday with a calf problem and underwent a scan on Thursday.

Caitlyn Jenner Five Times More Valuable than Bruce

Caitlyn Jenner is a hotter commodity than Bruce Jenner ever was ... especially on the speaking circuit.

Sources who worked for years on booking speaking gigs for Bruce tell TMZ, Caitlyn is worth 5 times what Bruce commanded. Our sources say Bruce used to get $25,000 a pop for motivational speaking ... and they say Caitlyn can pull well over $100k.

Life of every Nigerian matters, says VP Osinbajo

Vice President Professor Yomi Osinbajo said yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State that the life of every Nigerian citizen matters to the Federal Government no matter his status or where he resides.

He spoke after visiting the scene of the incident where about 70 people died following an inferno caused by a tanker loaded with fuel.Osinbajo who was accompanied by his host, Chief Willie Obiano and the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial district, Dr. Chris Ngige said that President Muhammadu was very concerned and pained by the fuel tanker tragedy that he felt it was not enough to send a condolence message and so had asked him to come and commiserate with the people of Anambra state.

NBA's Chandler Parsons Dating Leo DiCaprio's Ex ... Smokin' Hot Model

Major props to Dallas Mavericks star Chandler Parsons ... who seems to be on a PDA level with his apparent new girlfriend Toni Garrn -- a super hot model who once dated Leo Dicaprio. 

the couple was spotted out in NYC on Wednesday -- holding hands and kissing as they walked along the street.

Benitez: I'm back home & I want trophies

New Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez broke down in tears after sealing a return to his "home".

The former Napoli and Liverpool boss began his coaching career with Madrid's youth sides, before coaching a variety of teams in Spain and around Europe.

Neymar: Dani Alves would have a new deal if I was Barcelona president

Neymar has claimed he would have given Dani Alves a new contract by now if he was Barcelona's president.

The right-back, 32, and the Catalans are engaged in what Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has called “a game” as the player awaits a proposal he likes from his current club.

Brandi Glanville to Joanna Krupa This Fish Remind You of Anything? (Yes, I Mean Your Vagina) Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/06/03/brandi-glanville-joanna-krupa-fish-prank-dinner-craigs-lawsuit/#ixzz3c4iLyQIO

Brandi Glanville humiliated her nemesis Joanna Krupa during a fancy L.A. dinner ... by putting a new twist on their stinky vagina war. 

Sources at celeb hot spot Craig's tell us the feuding housewives were dining at separate tables last Friday ... when Brandi uncorked a brilliant, yet smelly prank. 

We're told Brandi sent a plate of steaming hot salmon over to Joanna, and the stunt was a not-so-subtle response to Krupa's defamation lawsuit over Brandi's original lady parts insult.

Joanna was with her husband, Romain Zago, and we're told they were both upset by the rank (yet most likely tasty) joke ... but left with no issues.

Brandi dropped a mere $40 for the sesame crusted salmon. The lawsuit could cost her a helluva lot more if she loses.

Photos: Mavin Records act Reekado Banks completes house for parents

Mavin Records artist Reekado Banks revealed he just completed his parent's house. He's pictured above with them

Snoop Dogg calls Bruce Jenner a 'Science Project'..

While many people are busy hailing Bruce Jenner and calling him a hero for living his 'true self, rapper Snoop Dogg ain't got time for that. He's part of a few who feel - but won't publicly say - that they think Bruce has a mental disorder.

Dr. Dre & Ice Cube named as defendants in lawsuit against Suge Knight

Dr. Dre and Ice Cube have been included in a lawsuit over Suge  Knight's alleged murder running over actor Terry Carter in a fast food restaurant parking lot.

Carter's wife and kids have filed the lawsuit, naming Knight, Dre and Cube all as defendants. It states that Dre and Cube hired known gang members to provide security for Straight Outta Compton's location shoots in areas with high gang activity.
The two are both producers on the film.

Deloitte Football Finance 2015: Manchester United post record €159m profits

Manchester United posted all-time record operating profits of £117 million (€159m) for the 2013-14 season, Deloitte's annual football finance review has found.

It was a season to forget on the pitch under David Moyes but off it United were still thriving, with the Glazer-owned club posting revenue totalling €589m, €476m more than bottom club Cardiff City and 13.2 per cent of the total accrued by all Premier League clubs.