AFOLABI

AFOLABI

Names have been mentioned regarding the manager likely to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea.

DAILY POST reported on Tuesday that the Argentine gaffer left the Blues on mutual consent.

Chelsea witnessed a significant improvement towards the end of the season, finishing sixth in the Premier League table.

 

But the former PSG and Tottenham boss could not stay any longer at Stamford Bridge, as he is reportedly at loggerheads with the club’s owners.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that the Blues are looking for a dynamic manager.

He said that several candidates are being discussed internally with owners and directors involved.

“Thomas Frank is among the names mentioned internally; also Kieran McKenna but still all open. Seb Hoeneß, highly rated but fully focused on Stuttgart,” he said.

The Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has said Nigeria comes first.
 
He called on every Nigerian irrespective of social or political standing to focus on navigating the prevailing economic hardships rather than obsessing over the next electoral cycle.
 
 
While addressing his supporters at the Labour Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Mr Obi criticized the tendency of some politicians to shift focus to elections immediately after one ends, neglecting the more pressing issues of welfare and security of the citizens.
 
“Political parties have no purpose without the nation. Our primary concern should be the well-being of our people and the security of our nation,” Obi told a large gathering of party faithful.
 
He stressed that Nigeria’s survival and prosperity must be the paramount concern because “Nigeria is the only country we have.”
 
This statement comes at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with significant economic challenges, including rising prices and unemployment, which have been exacerbated by global economic pressures and local policy decisions.
 
 
The event’s high turnout underscores the deep support for Mr Obi’s message of prioritizing governance over politics.
 
This stance has defined his political career and continues to attract a diverse following across the country.
 
As Nigeria navigates these challenging times, the voices advocating for a shift in political priorities are becoming louder.
 
Many citizens are calling for leaders who prioritize their welfare over political ambitions

Governor Similanayi Fubara of Rivers State has said he started taking decision as a governor in February, 2024.

Fubara, who spoke on Tuesday at Egbeda Community Secondary School field, venue of the inauguration of some internal roads project in Emohua Local Government Area, inaugurated by Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, reiterated that the projects people were seeing were accomplishments of four months.

He said good governance, service and projects were being delivered at a cost-effective rate.

He said, “We are just starting but I assure you of more attention. If in four months, we can do this, and we are getting this level of applause, you can imagine what will happen when we do one year of our record time, two years of our own record time, Rivers State would have experienced something different from the regular governance.

“I know why I said four months. We started full governance in February, 2024. That was when we started taking decisions, when we started confronting governance. And I am proud to say that our people are happy with what we have done.

“What we want to do is to bring governance to our people, service delivery at record time, and in a cost effective way.


“Everything that we are doing is in my white paper. I carry it along, so, there is no issue of any manipulation. Call me any day, anytime, it is there. Even the ones I did before this time, I still have all the records.

“If you call me any day, I will bring the records of all my activities in government, because I know that as a civil servant, what is most important is record keeping; so that if you are not there, and something happens, it is just for somebody to pick up the file and he will see the history.

“That is how I am trained, and I have that in my mind before I do anything. So, I am not scared of anything. Anybody who calls me any day, anytime, I have my records to show. I have all the approvals to show that I acted based on approval and not personal decision.”

The governor assured that his administration would continue to deliver projects that impact positively on the people directly while also empowering them to live better lives.

He stated that the Egbeda Internal Roads Project had been accomplished to both satisfy the needs of the people by making them happy and solving the perennial flooding problems experienced in the area.

The Governor acknowledged the support of the people before, during and after the elections, saying what his administration owes them is the dividends of democracy that included projects and social service delivery.

Performing the inauguration of the project,Oborevwori said he drove with Fubara on the road while accessing the venue of the event, and can testify of the commitment of his brother governor to sustain infrastructure development in the State.

He said, “This road project at Egbeda bears true testimony of the commitment of the Rivers State Government towards fulfilling its promise of sustainable infrastructure development of the State.

“It is reassuring that these all-season roads will economically empower, not only the people of Egbeda, but the entire Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

A talented Nigerian artiste, Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, has designed the 2024 Emirates FA Cup trophy which final comes up this Saturday.

The 23-year-old British-Nigerian, popularly known as Olaolu Slawn was approached by the English Football Association to design a one-off special trophy after BRIT awards.

He designed the trophy alongside Thomas Lyte.

This was first disclosed by @whatsonshuffle via X writing, “After previous endeavors with the BRITs Awards, Slawn has been commissioned to create the design for the 2024 FA Cup Trophy.”

Olaolu Slawn’s video of the making of the FA Cup trophy was also posted.

Confirming the project on Monday via his Instagram handle, the Lagos-born designer wrote, “Biggest thing I’ve done yet. My tribute to the FA Cup trophy. Slawn and @ThomasLyte. Thank you @EmiratesFACup. Amen.”

The Emirates FA Cup reacted, “Can’t wait to see your tribute unveiled on Monday.”

Most of Slawn’s works include spray paint, large-scale pop art canvases, graffiti, caricatures and murals.

In 2023, he became the youngest person to design the Britannia statuette for the annual BRIT awards.

His latest work, the FA Cup trophy would be lifted by either side of the Manchester clubs in a derby final at Wembley Stadium, on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

first black UK consultant in kidney treatment
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester were crowned the EPL Champions of Saturday, and look forward to getting a better chance of their bitter rivals to do double.

Manchester United, managed by Dutch Erik ten Hag, are desirous of the England’s oldest cup to wrap up the season with a silverware and book a place for Europa League next season.

The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced the process of amending the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law amidst call for the return of the deposed 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi.

The House resolved to amend the law after the Majority Leader and member representing Dala constituency, Hussien Dala, moved the motion during plenary on Tuesday.

Daily Trust reports that the law was first amended in 2019 during the rift between then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the deposed Emir.

The first amendment had broken the Kano emirate into five different emirates with the creation of Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi Emirates, and the appointment of First Class Emirs for the new emirates, eventually culminating in the deposition of then Emir of Kano.

But following the electoral victory of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who had campaigned with the restoration of the old Kano Emirate system, several groups renew the call for the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi.

One month before Governor Yusuf assumed office, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the ruling party in Kano, had said issue of the emirates would be reviewed.

“We campaigned and we are well-known in Nigeria, especially in Kano. What we showed the people is by God’s grace all the good projects we started when we were in government. This governor (Abba Kabir Yusuf) and his team will pick up from where we left off,” Kwankwaso had said.

“We as elders in the movement will continue to advice them to do things that are proper. We tried not to talk about whether the Emir would be removed or not, but now you see, the opportunity is there.

“Those who God made leaders will now decide on the next step and decision to take. They will review it and determine what is the right thing to be done.

“Apart from the issue of changing the emir, the emirates have now been divided into five. All of that will be reviewed too. When a leader comes into power whether in a country, state or local government area, he inherits things that are good and things that are difficult and challenging.

“We are confident God will give the governor (Abba Kabir Yusuf) the wisdom to come and resolve the challenges planted in Kano state so that everyone will leave peacefully in Kano state.”

The Central of Nigeria Monetary Policy Committee has raised interest rates by 150 basis points to 26.25 per cent from 24.75 per cent in March to tackle rising inflation.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso disclosed this on Tuesday at the 295th MPC press briefing in Abuja.

The apex boss said the decision to raise the interest rate was to tame the country’s soaring headline inflation which increased to 33.69 per cent in April.


CBN had continued tightening of monetary instruments to bring down inflation.

The 295th MPC meeting is the third since the appointment of Cardoso in September last year.

In May 2023, Nigeria’s interest rate stood at 18.75 per cent.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said that the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party is working to get new state governors come 2027.

Ganduje made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at a policy roundtable titled, ‘The Asiwaju Scorecard Series’, organised by APC Professionals Forum.

He said the leadership of the APC was gradually restructuring the party into a truly grassroots progressive party.

 

The chairman said the NWC has directed the state chapters of the party to liaise with their respective governors and other stakeholders to ensure that they have full-fledged, functional offices in every political ward and state to enable members across the country to have symbolic representation in their neighborhood.

He said the NWC has also constituted a reconciliation committee that would reconcile all aggrieved party members, and such committees would be established at the state, local government and ward levels.

Ganduje noted: “Even though it is not yet an election period, we are reinvigorating that party to ensure that come 2027, we will retain and get new state governors, as well as Mr President to secure another mandate to continue with his government’s policies and programmes.

“We are gradually restructuring our party into a truly grassroots progressive party. We have directed our State Chapters to liaise with their respective Governors and other stakeholders to ensure that we have full-fledged, functional offices in every political ward and state to enable our members across the country to have symbolic representation in their neighborhood.

“This measure will ensure that party activities are rolled out all year round not during political campaigning and elections only.”

Arne Slot, the coach of Feyenoord will replace Jurgen Klopp.
 
Liverpool made the announcement on Monday.
 
Liverpool said in a statement that the Dutchman, 45, would take up the position of head coach on June 1, subject to a work permit.
 
The club did not specify the length of his contract in their statement but Sky Sports said it understood Slot had signed a three-year deal.
 
 
Slot’s arrival has been an open secret, with Liverpool reportedly agreeing a compensation deal worth up to £9.4 million ($12 million).
 
He confirmed Anfield was his next destination at his final pre-match press conference at the Eredivisie club on Friday.
 
Klopp announced his departure in January and took charge of his final game on Sunday, a 2-0 win against Wolves.
 
In his final speech to the Anfield crowd, the German urged fans to throw their full support behind Slot.
 
“You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me,” he said. “You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team.”
 
Slot moved to Feyenoord in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar.
 
He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final at the end of his first season. They narrowly lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
 
Slot then delivered just a second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season before penning a new three-year deal.
 
“You can see people are genuinely sorry you are leaving,” he said on Friday.
 
“You can say that with words, but when you see it in people’s faces, it affects me quite a lot.”
 
Feyenoord have enjoyed a strong season, winning the Dutch Cup and coming second to an all-conquering PSV Eindhoven side.
 
Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk has hailed Slot’s attacking mindset, saying it would suit the philosophy at Anfield.
 
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was the favourite to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
 
However, Alonso has committed to staying at Leverkusen after leading them to a first-ever Bundesliga title.
 
Liverpool won the League Cup in Klopp’s final season in charge and finished third in the Premier League, qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Rivers State High Court has invalidated the amended Local Government Law proposed by the Martins Amaewhule faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

 

The ruling was delivered in a suit numbered PHC/1320/CS/2024, which challenged the extension of tenure for LG chairmen for six months after the expiration of their term.

 

Justice D.G. Kio, presiding over the case, declared the amendment invalid, citing its inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government law No. 5 of 2018.

 


The court emphasized that the applicable law governing the tenure of local government chairmen and councillors is the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, which stipulates a three-year tenure.

 

The attempt to extend their tenure through the enactment of the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 was deemed unlawful and contrary to their oath of office.

 

The ruling marks a victory for Enyiada Cookey-Gam and six others who challenged the extension, asserting the primacy of constitutional principles in governance.

A former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Salihu Lukman, has said that contrary to the expectation that President Bola Tinubu will replicate his earlier success as Lagos governor, his administration has succeeded in creating more doubts in the minds of Nigerians.

 

Lukman, in a statement issued Tuesday titled, ‘Illusive Politics: What is to be Done’, saud Tinubu’s administration had been characterized by policy missteps and reversals.

 

The APC chieftain lamented that after 25 years of democratic rule, Nigeria was yet to produce leaders that are predisposed to accommodating the interests of citizens.

 

He said: “Painfully, against every expectation that President Asiwaju Tinubu will reignite the Lagos success story at national level, his government is more and more creating doubts in the minds of Nigerians about the prospect of resolving the country’s challenges with incidences of policy missteps and reversals.

 

“As a result, crisis of insecurity has remained. Problems of inflation, unemployment and poverty are on the increase.

 

“If the hallmark of the tenure of former President Buhari is the trauma of dashed hopes for citizens, we must, as Nigerian citizens and as committed progressive politicians, wake up and remedy the ugly and despicable experience of illusive politics.

 

“After one year in office, the unmistaken message must be conveyed to President Asiwaju Tinubu and by extension all APC leaders that the democratic future of Nigeria is not negotiable.”