Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season

Real Madrid's Keylor Navas has been voted UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season.

©UEFA.com

Keylor Navas has been named UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season for 2017/18.

The Real Madrid keeper picked up the award on stage in Monaco during the 2018/19 group stage draw. The accolade capped a memorable campaign for the 31-year-old, who played all but two games of Madrid's third straight UEFA Champions League triumph. He had started the season with wins in the UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, and ended it between the posts with Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup.

Goalkeeper of the Season top ten

1 Keylor Navas (Real Madrid) – 222 points

2 Alisson Becker (Liverpool/Roma) – 197 points
3 Gianluigi Buffon (Paris/Juventus) – 92 points
4 Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona) – 47 points
5 Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea, now Real Madrid) – 28 points
6 Ederson (Manchester City) – 26 points
7 Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) – 18 points
8 Jan Oblak (Atlético) – 16 points
9 David de Gea (Manchester United) – 7 points
10 Sven Ulreich (Bayern) – 5 points

Navas' season in numbers

Honours: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

Individual accolades: UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season, UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season

Navas is entering his fifth season at Madrid©AFP/Getty Images

Champions League
Appearances: 11
Minutes: 990
Clean sheets: 2
Goals conceded: 13

Navas testimonials

"Keepers stand up to be counted in big games like these. It was a difficult second leg and he gave us so much; he gave us life."
Former coach Zinédine Zidane after Madrid beat Bayern in last season's semi-finals

"He's a keeper that I love. He's won three consecutive Champions League titles, earned us lots of points and ensured we win games – but above all I'd praise him as a person."
Team-mate Dani Carvajal

How Navas was chosen

Navas lifts the trophy in Kyiv in May©AFP/Getty Images

These awards were introduced last year to recognise the season's best player in each position in Europe's premier club competition. The jury comprised the coaches of the 32 clubs in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League group stage, together with 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, representing each of UEFA's member associations. Coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own teams.

Jury members chose their top three players per position, with the first receiving five points, the second three and the third one. The three players who got the most points in each category made up the final shortlist. Buffon was named Goalkeeper of the Season for 2016/17.

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Lagos-Ibadan rail: Amaechi gives update, confirms 90 percent completion

Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport, has said construction work at the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge has reached about 90 per cent completion.

Amaechi disclosed this while inspecting the project at Ewekoro-Papalanto axis of the project on Monday.

“We are progressing but there is no way they can fast-track the project during the raining season, but 90 per cent of the construction works has been done”, NAN quoted him as saying.

“I have told them to work day and night, to ensure the project keeps moving as expected, especially on the bridges and construction of modern station at Ebuta-Meta Lagos.

“I also told them that two weeks after the rain mush have stopped, they have to complete the remaining 10 per cent to allow them focus on laying of tracks”.

According to him, by the end of October they, should have finished all the bridges from Iju to Abeokuta.

The minister said that laying of tracks would be an easy task after all the earthworks must have been completed.

Amaechi called on the contractor – China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) – to expedite action on the pace of work to ensure timely delivery of the project.

The minister said that the major challenge facing the project now was where to site the railway stations at various towns and communities along the corridor.

“Where to locate the railway stations has posed a great challenge as many communities find it difficult to release their land for such.

“We have such challenges in Abeokuta, Agege and other vital areas, where we needed to site the stations.

“It won’t be ideal after finishing the construction work and there is no rail station for people to board their train, but we are talking to the communities.

“Let them know the benefit of the stations to their communities,” he said.

According to him, the challenges of pipelines and cables in Lagos state have been resolved by casing the underground pipes for more protections against the vibrations of the train.

He said that shifting the pipelines from the present locations to other places would cost more and prolong the project more than the slated delivery time.

Amaechi said that efforts had been put in place by the contractor to safeguard the pipelines by fixing casing on it to ensure proper protection from the rail vibrations.

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EPL: Manchester United vs Tottenham: Mourinho’s men thrashed 3-0

Jose Mourinho’s position as Manchester United manager, will come under more scrutiny, after they were defeated 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night.

United came into the game, having won 2-1 at home against Leicester City and lost 3-2 to Brighton last weekend.

Mourinho demanded a reaction from his players and in the first half, they overpowered Spurs, but failed to score.

However, after the break, the visitors took over.

Harry Kane opened the scoring with a deft header, before Lucas Moura added a fine brace.

The result takes Spurs to nine points, six more than United.

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EPL: What Unai Emery told Ramsey about his future at Arsenal

Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, has told Aaron Ramsey to forget about his contract stand-off and focus on getting back in the team.

Multiple reports claim Ramsey went to see Emery last week, after becoming concerned over whether he is in the new manager’s plans.

The Wales star was substituted early against Manchester City, then dropped against Chelsea last Saturday.

With Ramsey having one year left on his current deal, it has further cast doubt about his future at the Emirates.

“I spoke with him last week. I said, ‘I want you to focus only on training and only on the match, you show us the capacity to help the team’.

“The contract is another thing for his agent and the club, but we want – and I need – his focus only on training, on the match and his performance each day.

“I want the player to be focused only on Saturday. So that our players give our supporters quality and energy,” Emery told the media on Friday, during his press conference ahead of the West Ham match.

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Salisu out over bribe allegations

The super Eagles coach Gernort Rohr has confirm that the chief coach will not be part of the team technical crew set up against Seychelles after his bribery scandal spent g to press men after the release of the 24 man list.

Salisu Yusuf

“We have to wait for the outcome of investigation from the Ethics committee. It is not in my position to answer weather he will be back or not, it is the duty of my employers. Only the NFF can determine whether he will be in the team next match . Mine is to coach the team and not the administrative point of view.”

Rohr said Salisu was set up. “They set him up. The players they are talking about were already in the team. I know them. They set him up because I know him. He is honest

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Rohr Names Onazi, Musa, 22 Others For Seychelles

File Photo: Nigeria’s German manager Gernot Rohr. Ben STANSALL / AFP

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has released a list of 24 Nigerian senior players who will battle for the three points in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Seychelles in Victoria on September 7, 2018.

At a world press conference in Lagos on Friday, Rohr, flanked by the first Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Seyi Akinwunmi and Executive Board Member, Aisha Falode, unveiled a list of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards.

He also put four other players, including former U17 World Cup –winning captain Musa Muhammed, on standby.

The three goalkeepers are those who made the final cut for the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia in the summer, but the defence has two new boys. England – based Semi Ajayi and Germany – based Jamilu Collins, while Olaoluwa Aina, overlooked for the World Cup, has been recalled.

Another former U17 World Cup – winning captain, Kelechi Nwakali, is the new face in the middle, just as France – based Samuel Kalu is the new man up front.

Henry Onyekuru, who got injured before the World Cup, has also been recalled.

Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor told the NFF on Friday that the invited players are expected to fly directly to Seychelles, arriving on Monday, September 3, while the one player (goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa) and team officials travelling from Nigeria will fly into Victoria on Sunday, September 2.

All three points in the Matchday 2 encounter are important for the Super Eagles, having lost their opener to the qualifying campaign at home to South Africa 14 months ago.

SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Kelechi Nwakali (FC Porto, Portugal); Joel Obi (AC Chievo Verona, Italy)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Simeon Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France)

Standby: Uche Agbo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria); Musa Muhammed (HNK Gorica, Croatia); Blessing Eleke (FC Luzern, Switzerland)

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President Buhari Reveals Why He Trekked 800 Metres In Daura

President Muhammadu Buhari on  Friday said his decision to trek some distance after observing Eid prayers at Kofar Arewa Eid Ground to his residence in Daura, Katsina State was not about proving his fitness level, Punch Metro reports.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke while receiving representatives of the five local governments in Daura Emirate at his private residence.

Garba had told journalists shortly after Buhari embarked on the trek on Tuesday that it was a confirmation that the President was fit for second term.

But Buhari explained that the walk was not about proving his fitness level or scoring cheap political capital.

He said he did not need to convince anybody about his state of health.

He said, ‘‘This is my constituency, the people came out in their large numbers to see me and the car in which I was being driven had tinted windows.

‘‘They were not seeing me so I came down so they could see me.  I didn’t need to convince anyone about my health and the decision to contest for a second term that I made public in April this year.”

The President seized the opportunity of his meeting with his kinsmen to inform them that he has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria to review the processes on the issuance of loans to smallholder farmers.

‘‘We want to make it easier for them to assess the loans, particularly the underprivileged people in the society.  It has become necessary for the government to do this because banks will insist on collaterals which majority of farmers do not have.

‘‘For our agriculture policy to succeed, we must be able to reach small farm holders with loans without collaterals.  Collaterals are always a problem with smallholder farmers,’’ he said.

The President also highlighted the achievements of the administration on local rice productions which he said had led to the reduction of imports by over 90 per cent.

He expressed delight that young people were returning to the farms and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing policies to promote agriculture.

Speaking on behalf for the civil society groups in Daura Emirate, the spokesman of the group, Yusuf  Maiadua, applauded the President on his numerous achievements.

‘‘You have made us proud, the economy is back on the path of growth and you have laid a solid foundation for the development of the country,” he said.

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Kwara Monarch Backs Buhari For 2019

 

President Muhammadu Buhari

The Etsu Patigi, Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta-Umar, has said the people will vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Alhaji Chatta-Umar spoke when he received youths from Lade, Kpada and Patigi districts in his palace. The youth held a rally in support of President Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

The monarch said the achievements of Buhari’s administration endeared him to his people, which necessitated the need for all to support him.

According to him, the Patigi-Share and Patigi- Kpada roads, which have been in deplorable conditions for about two decades, are being built.

The monarch thanked Buhari for touching the lives of his subjects and urged the Federal Government to do more.

“Our roads have been there for 20 years with no repairs, and then within the three years that he came on board, the road is being rebuilt.”

Coordinator of the Patigi for Buhari 2019 Muhammed Baba-Mahmud said the people remained grateful to President Buhari.

Baba-Mahmud identified major achievements to include reconstruction of Patigi-Share/Patigi-Kpada roads; over 400 N-Power beneficiaries from Patigi council, about 1,200 of the Household Upliftment Programme, fight against corruption, improved security, improved power supply and bumper harvest for farmers due to access to fertiliser.

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Chief Imam Offa married 4th wife

The Nikkah ceremony took place today, Saturday 18th August, 2018 at Anilelerin Primary School Field, Offa. The Naibi Agba Offa delivered sermon. A Sadaq of 100 US Dollars was paid. May Allah continue to BLESS his Home.

May the One who brought you together bless your marriage, enrich your lives and deepen your love throughout the years.

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Sanusi warns politicians on exploitation of religion

Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II 

• Blames Sharia governors for states’ underdevelopment

• CAN cautions presidency, police over threat to democracy

• Restructuring is answer to nation’s challenges, Markarfi insists

Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II has cautioned politicians who hide behind the mask of religion to exploit Nigerians.

He regretted that the North, in the last two decades, was robbed of focus due to the politicisation of religion and culture.

Politicians turned religion into a vehicle for campaign, thereby exploiting the religious character and ignorance of the people, he said.

Rather than solving problems in the education and health sectors, governors were busy promising to deliver religion, which led to the underdevelopment of many states, the emir noted.

He said it was not surprising that states which placed too much emphasis on religion over development lagged behind in socio-economic milestones. According to him, “The most backward and underdeveloped states in Nigeria today are also the same states that claimed to be run based on Sharia. The people seemed satisfied with slogans and pilgrimages that have become jamborees.”

Due to the hype, people in the region stopped demanding the education of their children and healthcare from their leaders, he noted.

Sanusi spoke in Katsina State yesterday while delivering a speech marking International Youth Day and a graduation ceremony at Katsina Vocational Training Centre.

The centre, founded by the late M.D. Yusuf, a former Inspector General of Police, empowers youths, particularly the physically challenged.

The emir called on government to engage youths through increased investment in agriculture. He also urged politicians to sign peace pacts before next year’s general election and discourage youths from violence.

On its part, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) warned the presidency and the Nigeria Police against acts capable of threatening democracy. It also urged the legislative and executive arms of government to collaborate in the interest of smooth governance.

“We express grave concerns over the poor handling of the police invitation to the Senate President Bukola Saraki, over the infamous Offa robbery saga that led to the death of about 30 people, and the alleged plan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, over alleged money laundering,” CAN said in a statement by its president, Samson Ayokunle, in Abuja yesterday.

“The Christian umbrella body condemns in strong terms the way the police were deployed in subjecting the leadership of the National Assembly to needless embarrassment and harassment. The ongoing action of the police is a siege against democracy,” the association noted.

“We are shocked, disappointed and alarmed at the aborted moves by the police to stop both the senate president and his deputy from attending Tuesday’s proceedings for whatever reasons. We call on both the leadership of the National Assembly and the presidency to stop acting in a manner that constitutes international disgrace and embarrassment.

“We appeal to all security agencies to stop being involved in partisan politics. Nigerians must realise that leadership goes around and comes around, but our country will continue to remain. CAN calls on all service chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, not to destroy our democratic institutions through needless partisanship.”

CAN further called on civil society organisations and professional bodies like the Nigeria Bar Association, Nigerian Labour Congress, Nigerian Medical Association and Nigeria Union of Journalists to resist anti-democratic forces.

In a related development, the Supreme Knight of the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Chief Diamond Ovueraye, expressed fear that the nation was hurtling towards the precipice.

“There is too much self-aggrandisement on the part of the leaders. But as knights, our duty is to speak when things are going wrong and pray for the country and for solutions to problems. The leadership must bring us back from the drift by doing the right thing,” he said at the investiture of 150 ladies and brothers into the apex Fourth Degree of the Order at the Catholic Church of Ascension, Ikeja, Lagos.

A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, meanwhile, reiterated calls yesterday for restructuring of the nation.

He told delegates and members of the party in Owerri, Imo State that the move would satisfy the yearnings of the geo-political zones. He promised to toe this line if he was given a chance to rule the country next year.

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Ojomu Gedegbe Youth Descendant Association

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I'm More Favoured To Become Next Igbo President - Gov. Okorocha Declares

Chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, Rochas Okorocha, has said that he is more favoured to become the next Igbo President of Nigeria.

 

Gov. Okorocha

While speaking during a breakfast meeting with journalists at the Government House Owerri, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday, said that he is more favoured to become the next President of Igbo extraction.

According to The Nation, Okorocha noted that he commands massive followership beyond the Southeast much more than any other Igbo politician.

The governor however lamented what he called the pull-him-down attitude among Igbo political elites, stressing that, “it is unfortunate that we the Igbo don’t celebrate our own, we are only interested how to destroy our own”.

Speaking further, he said that he will not be relying on the support of the Igbo to pursue and actualize his Presidential ambition.

According to him, “I stand a better chance of making the Presidency in 2023 but my greatest challenge will come from the Igbo. It is our character. It will be a foolish thing to imagine that the Igbo will support me”.

On President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, the Imo governor, disclosed that the Igbo are mobilizing to give him landslide victory.

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Osun governorship: Babatope begs PDP members to unite for victory

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ebenezer Babatope,  on Friday urged all members of the party in Osun to put aside all differences and rally round Sen. Ademola Adeleke to win the Sept. 22 governorship election.Babatope, a former Minister of Transportation, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.

He urged party members to see Wednesday ‘s ruling of an Osogbo High Court which failed to stop Adeleke’s candidacy as a victory, not for Adeleke alone, but for the party.

The plaintiffs, Rasheed Olabayo and Idowu Oluwaseun, had sought the order of the court to disqualify Adeleke based on his educational qualification.

Recall that disagreements had trailed the July 21 PDP governorship primary, with seven aspirants, including Mr Akin Ogunbiyi, faulting the process that produced Adeleke and vowing to challenge his emergence in court.

Babatope, who is from Osun, appealed particularly to aspirants who contested along with Adeleke to put loyalty to the party above any grievances they might have and support Adeleke to win the election.

“This is not the time to fan the embers of discord or disunity in Osun PDP.

“This is the time to see ourselves as brothers and unite to support our candidate to win the Sept. 22 poll.

“We should put loyalty to the party first above everything. Though differences are normal in politics, we should learn how to rise above our disagreements.

“We should put the grievances of the primary behind us and speak in one voice with the common objective of winning the election,” he said.

Babatope said the South West PDP, led by Dr. Eddy Olafeso, and elders like Chief Olabode George and himself would continue to reach out to members in the state on the need to unite to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He expressed the optimism that the PDP would win the Sept. 22 election.

NAN

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Kwarans will soon cease being panhandlers – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called for unity, sacrifice and commitment from all stakeholders in order to put Kwara state on the path of good governance and also win the state for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections.

The Minister, who made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Congress of Kwara Progressives in Ilorin on Thursday, said the time is ripe for the people of Kwara to take back their state from plunderers.

Lai Mohammed

”What an auspicious time for all of us! Never before have we had a great opportunity like we have now to take our state back from the rapacious few, who have held the state by the jugular and prevented it from meeting the hopes and aspirations of its people.

”From my consultations with key stakeholders so far, I can say, categorically, that Kwarans have all resolved to take their destiny into their own hands and take back what rightly belongs to them. This is unprecedented in the history of our state, and we must not waste this opportunity,” he charged

Alhaji Mohammed stressed the need for unity on the part of the people, saying ”if we all remain united, we can’t and we won’t lose the looming battle for the survival of our dear state. All that is required is for us all to subordinate our individual ambitions to the collective efforts to wrest our state from the hegemony of one man and his cohorts”.

He said that, on his part, he won’t be running for any office during the forthcoming elections, adding: ”For me, it is not about any clamour for office. It is about working with all like minds for the greater benefit of our people.”

The Minister warned that the battle ahead would not be easy, and that those who are opposed to change in the state will deploy all strategies, including blackmail, to retain their stranglehold on power

”Make no mistake about it, the battle ahead will be tough. No one with power will ever give it up easily. But the power of the people supersedes all powers. That’s why I am delighted, and indeed encouraged, that the good people of our state, whether from the North, South or Central, are all united in their singular determination to rescue their state from the grinding poverty, monumental misgovernance and the general state of funk that has enveloped it,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said it is a mere blackmail to say he does not like the people of Ilorin, and went ahead to enumerate his antecedents, which include actively supporting an Ilorin indigene for governor in 2011.

He assured that under the new dispensation in the state, every Kwaran counts and will have a voice, saying: ”The resources of Kwara will be used for the development of the state and its people. Never again will our people be turned to panhandlers, never again will our people be made to eat crumbs from the master’s table. We must become the masters of our own destiny.”

NAN

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Birthday wishes to his Majesty Oba Olofa

On the occasion of His Majesty Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II birthday.. Offa247 News extends its heartfelt wishes for the best of health and happiness to His Majesty. 

With gratitude, we pray for the protection and prosperity of our beloved Kingdom and our people under your wise and sincere leadership. 

His Majesty Oba Muftau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II was born on, 10 August 1963. He turns 55 today Friday 10th August 2018.

Happy Birthday..!!!!

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Security: Olofa wants more police personnel in Offa

The Olofa of Offa, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, has called for the deployment of more police personnel in Offa to strengthen security in the town.

Gbadamosi made the appeal while receiving the Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Mr Aminu Saleh, during his courtesy visit to the palace on Wednesday.

The commissioner was at the Olofa’s palace as part of his tour of the Area Commander in Offa.

The Olofa said the police personnel in Offa were not enough to protect the ever-increasing population in the town.

“Offa is expanding everyday with different people from all parts of the world coming to settle down for business as well as education.

“We need more officers and men of the police to maintain peace. You can’t compare Offa of ten years ago to the Offa of today. The population is growing faster.

“Post your men here, we will give them accommodation in comfortable apartments,” he appealed to the Commissioner.

Gbadamosi said the community had built 50 units of 2-bedroom flats in response to the Bank robbery incident of April 5.

He added that a Guard house, Quarter guard and Armory were under construction and expected to be completed as soon as possible.

“We hope to commence the building of Administrative block after Sallah celebration,” he said.

According to the monarch, all these facilities are for the policemen posted to Offa.

He also urged the commissioner to use his office to invite the Inspector-General of Police to commission the projects after their completion.

The commissioner assured the monarch of proper security measures for Offa and neighboring towns.

He described security as everybody’s business that should not be left for police alone, calling on the community to join hands with the Police to secure lives and property.

He also advised the youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs during the 2019 general elections in the state.

“You should refrain from any form of crime during the elections. Make positive impact and build your future, ” he said.

Saleh urged the Olofa to set up a team that would sensitise the youths to stay away from violence. (NAN)

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Nollywood Actress, Omo Butty Bounces Back With Thrilling Photos

 

Biodun Okeowo

Actress and Nollywood film producer, Biodun Okeowo has resumed sharing lovely photos of herself on her Instagram account after a hiatus.

She was all smiles as she rhymed her purple top with her purpled shoes with a check shirt to match. One thing that make her stand out is her stature and her protruding behind always stealing headlines.

The light-skinned actress is gradually building her influence on Instagram with her followership approaching 800,000.

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Transfer: Levante confirms Moses transfer

Super Eagles forward, Moses Simon, has joined Levante from KAA Gent on a five-year deal.

The 23-year-old who was previously linked with a move to Liverpool, was signed for £4.5million.

The LaLiga football club announced Moses’ deal via Twitter on Monday.

“Welcome to #LevanteUD, @Simon27Moses,” Levante tweeted.

Moses has made 20 appearances for Nigeria, since his debut against Uganda on March 25, 2015.

He was named in Gernot Rohr’s preliminary 30-man squad for the 2018 World Cup, but he did not make the final 23 due to injury.

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Fresh Cholera Outbreak In Kano Kills 11 People

 

File Photo

A fresh cholera outbreak in Kano State, has claimed 11 lives, while 47 others are currently hospitalised at Hanya Madaki, Halin Sarki, and Kunchi villages in Bebeji Local Government Area of the state.

One of the youth leaders in the affected area, Ubali Dawud Abubakar, who confirmed the outbreak, said the three villages had been battling the suspected cholera outbreak for over one week, adding that despite reporting to the appropriate authorities, there had been no response.

According to him, the last victim, who died as a result of the suspected cholera outbreak was buried yesterday evening.

"One of the people that died of the cholera has been buried yesterday. We want the government to come quickly and intervene" he said

Also, a parent of one of the victims, Musa Abdullahi, said about 47 persons had been treated at homes, as well as at some patent medicine outfit, within the affected communities, since the villages hit by the suspected cholera outbreak have no hospitals or clinic.

In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the State Health Ministry, Ismail Garba Gwamaja, claimed that the Ministry was unaware of the outbreak of cholera in the affected villages but promised to investigate the incident to enable the Ministry to take appropriate action.

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Beautiful Actress, Omotola Slays In Stunning White Dress At Her Secondary School Reunion Party (Photos)

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is a beautiful woman and she proves that fact with every photo she shares with her followers on the internet.

The veteran Nollywood actress is often regarded as one of the most beautiful and classy actresses in the Nigerian movie industry.

Omotola recently attended the 25th edition of her secondary school’s reunion party this weekend in Abuja and once again 'slayed' in her outfit.

The party saw the 1993 set of the Command Secondary School, Kaduna State come together for a night of fun and Omotola stood out with her white dress.

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Nigerian traders not affected by Ghana quit notice, says envoy

ABUJA—Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Shirley Ayorkor-Botchwey, has said Nigerian traders were not affected by the recent quit notice to foreigners to vacate the country’s retail markets.

President Buhari smiling with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana

Botchwey said this when she paid a courtesy visit on her Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama, Monday, in Abuja

Foreign nationals engaged in retail business in Ghana were on July 11, issued a quit notice to vacate the country’s markets, as Ghanaian law reserves operation of retail business only for citizens.

National Association of Nigerian Traders had warned that the quit notice could spark xenophobic attacks.

However, Botchwey maintained that Nigerians and other ECOWAS citizens were not affected by the quit notice.

She said: “This has nothing to do with our ECOWAS brothers and sisters. It was more to do with other nationals.

“Yes, there is a problem that Nigerians and other ECOWAS citizens have been cut up in this issue of traders being given quit notice to exit our markets with their retail trade which is, by the law of Ghana, reserved for Ghanaians.

“Our government is doing what it can; sitting with the Ghana Traders Association to ensure that there is that understanding that it has nothing to do with Nigerian and other ECOWAS traders.

Onyeama in his remarks, said the Ghanaian minister’s visit demonstrated the country’s concern that Nigeria should, in no way, interpret the issue as xenophobia against Nigerian traders.

“The minister’s visit was to assure the government and the people of Nigeria that the government of Ghana is on top of the situation and would resolve the issue,” he said.

Onyeama said the Minister explained that what prompted the outcry was not about nationals of ECOWAS, but nationals from outside Africa who had been installing themselves in the Ghanaian retail business.

He said:   “The government of Ghana is not happy about that because they want to be in strict compliance with all their obligations under the ECOWAS Protocol of Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services,” Onyeama said of his meeting with the Ghanaian Foreign Minister.’’

He said the Ghanaian government was engaged in really coming out with a law consistent with their position as an ECOWAS member state.

According to him, they are at that process but are also very mindful of the special relationship they have with Nigeria.

“They are particularly keen that in no way should it result in any targeting of Nigerians, any xenophobia against Nigerians.  So, the government, in fact, the President himself, is personally engaged in addressing the situation.

“For her to travel, to fly here to meet with me for one hour, I think, demonstrated the concern of the Ghanaian government that Nigeria should in no way interpret this as some kind of xenophobia against Nigerians.

“This also to assure us that the government is very much on top of this and will hopefully resolve the situation very quickly,” he said.

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Mega reception for Akpabio holds Aug. 8 – APC

Sen. Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), has confirmed the defection of Sen. Godswill Akpabio to the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Enang and Sen. Ahmed Lawan, Senate Majority Leader, spoke with State House correspondents shortly after a closed door meeting with Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Monday in Abuja.

Enang said that Akpabio would be formally received in the party on Aug.8 in Akwa Ibom.

Prior to his defection, Akpabio was the Senate Minority Leader and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Lawan has said that there are 53 Senators in APC but I want to assure him that APC has harvested people from PDP and other political parties.

“ Akpabio is formally joining the APC and that will be a big ceremony on Aug. 8 in Akwa Ibom.’’

The Presidential Liaison in the Senate warned that the country might face total government shut down, if the National Assembly does not reconvene urgently.

“We are still appealing to the National Assembly to reconvene; you remember that we passed the budget with the understanding that a great amount of the money will be gotten from foreign loans.

“Although it was approved that there would be a loan, the amount that would be gotten was not approved; the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires that the President should specifically state the amount he wants to get from foreign loans and present it before the National Assembly.

“That letter has been presented before the National Assembly and it has to pass that amount before it could be obtained from the foreign financing institutions.

“This is what we are asking and if does not happen, in the next few months, we have a complete government shut down because what we are receiving from the Federation Account as Federal Government share — the capital component — is not enough to sustain even 15 per cent to 20 percent of budget.

“So, there may be a complete government shut down and I know Nigerians will not like it; that is why we are appealing to the National Assembly to reconvene,’’ he said.

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