Napoli boss, Antonio Conte has expressed regret over the club’s failure to sell Victor Osimhen this summer.

The Italian also appeared to confirm he has no plans to reintegrate the Nigeria international in the squad.

Conte spoke about the Osimhen situation after he led his side to a 2-1 win over Parma with Osimhen’s replacement, Romelu Lukaku coming off the bench to score one of the goals. 

Osimhen failed to complete his transfer to Chelsea on transfer deadline day on Friday over the Blues failure to meet his salary demand.

With the coming of Lukaku, it means it would be difficult for the Super Eagles striker to find minutes under Conte.

“I’m happy with the work the club did on the market,” Conte said via Fabrizio Romano.

“If there had been the sale of Victor Osimhen, we would have completed the situation… but I’m happy”.

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants under the employ of the state.

Nwifuru, who made the announcement on Saturday at the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival 2024, said he has directed relevant government authorities to draft out modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage commencing in September.

The governor, however, frowned at the lackadaisical manner by which government projects awarded as contract to prominent leaders of the state were handled, especially the housing estates at Izo Autonomous Community in Ishielu Local Government Area.

He gave a marching order to the Commissioner for Housing to ensure the painting of the houses immediately.

He further called on the people of Ebonyi State not to hesitate to report government projects being delayed by contractors.

Pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to save Nigeria, expressing concern over what it described as the near collapse of the nation since the administration of President Bola Tinubu took over.

In a communique by its Deputy Leader, Oladipo Olaitan and the Deputy Secretary General, Alade Rotimi-John after a regular quarterly meeting held in Ogun State, Afenifere maintained that the state of the nation has left the people perplexed.

According to the group, the Nigerian people are sorely troubled by the pervasive hardship, crippling hunger, unremitting insecurity in the land, runaway inflation, and massive unemployment all of which have left the people worse off than they were at the beginning.

It also observed the reckless, obstinate and indifferent attitude of the government to the long-term effects of the lack of forethought or purpose regarding the handling of the public revenue.

Afenifere, therefore, rued some of the Tinubu administration’s profligate predilection or inclination to waste resources, stating that $100m or N 240 billion as the purchase price for an Airbus A330 jet for the President and a further $50m to retrofit it was uncalled for.

In addition, Afenifere noted that N950m each as purchase price of a new set of armoured Cadillac Escalade Limousine SUVs as befitting vehicles for the President, N21 billion for renovating a new mansion for the Vice President, N90 billion as subsidy for religious pilgrimage and N10 billion to renovate the Presidential Lodge at Ribadu Road, Lagos, among others, gave an insight of a wasteful nature of the administration.

“Afenifere is scandalised or shamed by the odium and poor international or global image which have attended these profligate or prodigal expenditures.

“We are puzzled that a government can be so masterful at diversionary tactics just to lull the people to sleep and confuse them as they wake amid grave national circumstances and of a strident or sustained debate of its desultory or unmethodical handling of governance,” the group stated.

Declan Rice was controversially sent off for the first time in the Premier League as Arsenal were held to a contentious 1-1 draw against Brighton on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side were leading through Kai Havertz’s first-half strike when Rice saw red after the interval at the Emirates Stadium.

In a bizarre incident, the Arsenal midfielder earned a second booking for gently kicking the ball away and failing to retreat after fouling Brighton’s Joel Veltman.

Rice looked bewildered by the decision, while Arteta sought an explanation from the fourth official as Arsenal fans chanted “you’re not fit to referee” at Chris Kavanagh.

The Premier League said Rice was sent off for “delaying the restart”. VAR was unable to intervene because it was a yellow card and not a straight red.

Brighton took advantage of Rice’s dismissal to equalise through Joao Pedro, ending Arsenal’s 100 percent start to their bid to win the title for the first time since 2004.

The Gunners had won their opening two games of the season against Wolves and Aston Villa, but this was the first blow to their hopes of dethroning champions Manchester City.

Arsenal will be without the suspended Rice when they return to action after the international break with a north London derby trip to Tottenham on September 15.

“If it happens throughout the game in a consistent way it is fine but it didn’t. It is the inconsistency,” Arteta said of Rice’s red card.

“We started the game really well. We scored the goal, 1-0. We started the second half really good but then there is the decision that changes the game completely.”

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler inevitably saw it differently to Arteta, saying: “First of all he shoots the ball away so it is a clear yellow card, it changes the momentum of the game.”

Hurzeler has made an impressive start with Brighton, who are unbeaten in three games after building on last weekend’s win over Manchester United.

Arsenal new-boy Raheem Sterling watched from the stands following his deadline day loan move from Chelsea.

Sterling, who was frozen out by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, wasn’t registered in time to feature but his name was cheered by Arsenal fans when he was welcomed to the club in a stadium announcement.

 Rice sees red

Bukayo Saka tormented Brighton defender Jack Hinshelwood with his pace and movement in the early stages, easing into space for a pair of shots that Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen repelled.

Arteta’s belief that the inconsistent Havertz can be an adequate striker for a team with title ambitions looked well placed in the 38th minute as the German broke the deadlock.

Havertz came in for criticism after scoring just 13 times last season following his move from Chelsea.

But he showed composure and quality to deftly chip over the on-rushing Verbruggen from the edge of the area after Saka punished Lewis Dunk’s hesitancy with a clever flicked pass.

Rice escaped with only a yellow card after the Arsenal midfielder crunched into Veltman, a decision that saw Hurzeler booked for protesting.

But Rice wasn’t so fortunate in the 49th minute when he was dismissed after kicking the ball away and failing to retreat before a Brighton free-kick.

Rice had just conceded a foul with a challenge on Veltman, whose kick out at the midfielder in the aftermath looked the more significant offence.

Pedro rubbed salt into Arsenal’s wounds with his 58th minute equaliser.

Dunk’s superb pass split the Gunners defence and Yankuba Minteh sprinted clear for a shot that was pushed out by David Raya to Pedro, who fired home from close-range.

It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded this season, but they should have regained the lead when Havertz broke free for a low shot that was too close to Verbruggen, who saved Saka’s sliding effort seconds later.

In a frantic finale, Raya saved Yasin Ayari’s close-range effort and Carlos Baleba smashed over the bar as 10-man Arsenal held on.

Erling Haaland fired Manchester City to the top of the Premier League with a second consecutive hat-trick in a 3-1 win at West Ham on Saturday.

The Norwegian put Ipswich to the sword last weekend and followed up with another treble to take his tally to 70 goals in 69 Premier League games since joining City from Borussia Dortmund.

City have started the defence of their title in ominous fashion for those looking to depose Pep Guardiola’s men after winning the league for four consecutive seasons.

The English champions are the only side so far to win all three of their opening fixtures before an upcoming international break, helped in no small part by Haaland’s electric start.

Guardiola could again afford the luxury of leaving Rodri, John Stones and Kyle Walker on the bench after their exertions in reaching the final of Euro 2024, while Phil Foden missed out for the second successive game through illness.

In contrast to most of his team-mates who were in action at the Euros and Copa America, Haaland had the summer off from international duty and looks as refreshed as he has been ruthless.

After scoring in the opening weekend win at Chelsea and hitting his 10th City hat-trick against Ipswich, Haaland is now up to a Premier League record seven goals in the first three games of a season.

West Ham only had themselves to blame for the opener as they coughed up possession deep inside their own half and Bernardo Silva picked out Haaland to coolly slot beyond Alphonse Areola.

City looked set to put the game to bed in the opening stages as Areola denied Kevin De Bruyne before the Belgian smashed a shot off the crossbar.

But with West Ham’s first purposeful attack they were level thanks to a helping hand from the visitors.

Julen Lopetegui has promised a more attractive style of football after the Hammers fans grew tired of David Moyes’ reign despite impressive results.

At the end of an impressive move from one end to the other, Jarrod Bowen drove into the City box and his low cross was turned into his own net by Ruben Dias.

City quickly restored their grip on proceedings and restored their lead with an intricate move of their own that ended with a resounding finish.

Rico Lewis’ pass found Haaland, who then picked his spot and smashed the ball high past Areola.

Haaland should also have had an assist before the break as Lewis fired over from his deft lay-off.

City left the door open in the second half as they failed to find the killer third goal and could have been punished.

A lightning counter-attack saw Bowen play in Mohammed Kudus, who cannoned a powerful effort back off the post.

Haaland, though, fittingly had the final say to seal the three points.

The 24-year-old was played in by Matheus Nunes and confidently scooped the ball over substitute ‘keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

And the veteran Polish stopper was called into action to deny Haaland a fourth in stoppage time.

A second defeat in three games for West Ham leaves Lopetegui’s men down in 14th.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the Federal Government to suspend the recent policy by the federal ministry of education to peg the minimum age requirement for enrollment for senior secondary school examination at 18 years.

The association described the policy as limiting, backward and said it is capable of short-changing students and their parents.

Addressing journalists at the end of a meeting of principal officers of the association in Abuja, the SSANU President Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, urged federal government to step the decision down and make further consultations on the matter in order to avoid a crisis in the education sector.

The condemnation of the policy by SSANU adds to the concerns earlier raised by some stakeholders since the policy was made public by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, last week.

The Minister, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, had said that individuals under 18 years would no longer be allowed to take part in National Examinations Council and West African Examinations Council exams.

According to Mamman, the Federal Government has directed WAEC and NECO to enforce the 18-year age requirements for candidates seeking to take their exams.

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen suffered their first Bundesliga defeat since May 2023 as a 3-2 loss at home to RB Leipzig on Saturday snapped their 35-match unbeaten run in the top flight.

In a volatile match which saw visiting coach Marco Rose sent to the stands in the first half, Leverkusen jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo.

But Kevin Kampl scored for Leipzig against the run of play just before half-time and Lois Openda levelled things up early in the second period.

Openda scored again with 10 minutes remaining to secure victory for Leipzig against last season’s unbeaten league and cup winners.

“We had the chance to finish the game, but the goals we conceded were far too easy,” said Leverkusen captain Jonathan Tah.

“We defend as a team, but we fell asleep a few times and of course we’re going to be punished.”

The loss for Leverkusen ended a run of 43 domestic matches without defeat, a run spanning 463 days.

Xabi Alonso’s side, who have scored 17 goals in the 88th minute or later this year, pushed to keep their record alive, but could not find an equaliser this time.

“We knew it was going to be very hard to play here, Leverkusen play lethal football. We wanted to be courageous and get on the front foot,” said Kampl.

“We know we’ve also got quality up front. We were ice-cold today.”

Rose was sent to the stands after he was yellow-carded twice in quick succession in the first half for touchline outbursts after a foul on his player.

The Leipzig coach appeared to still be seething after Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface caught the head of Amadou Haidara while attempting a bicycle kick. He was upset Boniface escaped with a booking as Haidara needed to be replaced.

 Dortmund held at Bremen

Earlier on Saturday, a toothless and ill-disciplined Borussia Dortmund were held to a 0-0 draw at Werder Bremen.

Dortmund dominated possession but failed to break through and played the final 17 minutes a man down after centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off.

They came into the game with Maximilian Beier as their one recognised striker, having sent Sebastien Haller out on loan to La Liga side Leganes late on Friday.

Summer signing Serhou Guirassy, brought in to replace Niclas Fuellkrug after the Germany striker left for West Ham, is still weeks away from a return from a knee injury.

Schlotterbeck picked up a second yellow for a challenge on Justin Njinmah, reducing his side to 10 men.

“Everything isn’t exactly great yet,” said Dortmund midfielder Pascal Gross. “The coach prepared us well but we need to do better at implementing it”.

Last season’s surprise runners-up Stuttgart again gave away points from a winning position, drawing 3-3 with Mainz after conceding an equaliser in stoppage time.

Strikes from Enzo Millot and Jamie Leweling inside the opening 15 minutes put Stuttgart in control.

The hosts however let Mainz back into the match when Millot gave away a clumsy penalty late in the first half which was converted by Nadiem Amiri.

Jonathan Burkardt, who won the penalty, headed Mainz level after 62 minutes.

Stuttgart — who led in their Bundesliga opener and in the Super Cup against Leverkusen before losing both — led again when Fabian Rieder scored a stunning free-kick with two minutes remaining.

Mainz’s Maxim Leitsch scored in the fourth minute of added time to snatch a point for the visitors.

“We actually played a pretty good game, but we undid it by making simple mistakes,” Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller told Sky.

Eintracht Frankfurt won their opening home game 3-1 against Hoffenheim.

Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike again impressed in the win, scoring the opener and laying on a perfect pass for Hugo Larsson’s second.

Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric, who scored a hat-trick in last week’s season opener, pulled one back for the visitors early in the second half but Egypt winger Omar Marmoush added another to seal the match.

Borussia Moenchengladbach won 2-0 at Bochum, while top-flight newcomers Holstein Kiel are still looking for their first Bundesliga point, going down 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg.

Brazil winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.

While bitter rivals Real Madrid have stumbled early following the much-trumpeted arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Barcelona are off to a flying start despite their continued financial difficulties.

Raphinha opened the scoring at the Olympic Stadium on 20 minutes as he chested down a pass from Pau Cubarsi and flicked elegantly into the far corner with the outside of his left boot.

Robert Lewandowski soon doubled the lead when he latched onto a ball through from Lamine Yamal and squeezed a shot past Valladolid goalkeeper Karl Hein, on loan from Arsenal.

Jules Kounde made it three before half-time when a corner dropped to the France defender inside the area and he stabbed into the top corner while off-balance.

Raphinha had a simple tap-in from close range just past the hour, with Lewandowski and Yamal involved before the ball broke kindly for the Brazilian.

He completed his treble on 72 minutes following a brilliant burst forward from Yamal, who then slid through a delightful pass for Raphinha to stroke home.

Dani Olmo, who got the winner midweek at Rayo Vallecano, on his debut, struck with his final touch as he danced past a series of defenders and rolled in Barcelona’s sixth.

Raphinha rounded off a glittering performance with the assist for Ferran Torres as Barcelona hit a seventh, fizzing in a cross from the left for the substitute to steer home in clinical fashion.

The presidency has given more details about Nigeria’s debt condition under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The presidency explained that contrary to some reports that Nigeria’s debt stock increased, the nation’s debt stock decreased by 15% in dollar terms in Q1 2024.

It added that the government is able and committed to repaying its debt.

The explanation was given on Saturday, 31st August, by the Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in response to a report by StatiSense, which quoted the debt profile of Nigeria under the nation’s presidents starting from the time of Shehu Shagari to the current administration of President Tinubu.

The presidential media aide explained that the increase in public debt under the current administration is largely due to economic factors, not increased borrowing.

He argued that the Tinubu government is reducing the nation’s debt profile.

Olusegun said President Tinubu’s administration is committed to transparency and responsible economic management.

The bullet points in the post by Olusegun via his X account, titled, ‘Debunking the Myth: Nigeria’s External Debt Under President Bola Tinubu’ are highlighted below.

– Nigeria’s total debt stock decreased by 15% in dollar terms in Q1 2024, contrary to claims of rising debt.

– The increase in public debt is largely due to economic factors, not borrowing:
– Depreciation of the naira exchange rate (from N899.39/$ to N1,330.26/$)
– Interest rate changes
– Securitization of Ways and Means

– The current administration inherited a legacy of N22.7 trillion in outstanding Ways and Means, now being audited and securitized.
– The current Ways and Means deficit stands at N3.4 trillion, offset by operating surpluses from revenue-generating agencies.

– Nigeria’s (FG only) external debt stands at $42 billion.

– Multilateral creditors are owed $20.82bn, while China is owed $5bn.

– The federal government’s economic reforms have impacted foreign exchange and interest rates, contributing to the public debt spike.

– The government’s capacity to pay its debts is intact, with a revamped financial system.

The presidency noted that the addition of Nigeria’s external debt figure provides further context to the discussion, highlighting the country’s overall debt situation while emphasizing the factors contributing to the public debt increase.

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai took to his official X handle over the weekend to share his personal thoughts on what he termed ‘envy’ among Nigeria’s political class.

His lamentation follows allegations of corruption and misappropriation of government funds during his eight years as governor of Kaduna State.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly had claimed that his eight-year administration allegedly siphoned ₦432bn, leaving the state with huge debt liabilities.

Earlier in June, the ad hoc committee set up by the state Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the El-Rufai administration submitted its report to the House.

The chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, said most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, while in some cases, due process was not followed in securing the loans.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Yusuf Liman, also said that a total ₦423bn was allegedly siphoned by El-Rufai’s administration leaving the state with huge liabilities.

The committee, therefore, recommended the investigation and prosecution of El-Rufai, and some members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for alleged abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

The committee also recommended the immediate suspension of the Commissioner of Finance, Shizer Badda, who also served in the same capacity under El-Rufai’s administration.

‘Scandalous Claims’

Responding, El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, affirmed the integrity of the El-Rufai government and dismissed as “scandalous”, the claims by the committee.

He said, “Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacy he left in Kaduna State. This record of consistently high performance in public and private office cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.

“Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai government appeared before the ad-hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their service and the rectitude which they served Kaduna State. They were under no illusion that they were participating in a fair process. It was obvious that the ad hoc committee was merely going through the motions of an inquiry just to give some gloss to predetermined conclusions.

“It is sad to see such a shameful departure from any notion of decency and fairness by a state legislature. We dismiss with contempt the claims being peddled in connection with the report.

“Malam El-Rufai wishes to assure discerning Nigerians that he has served Kaduna State with integrity and to the best of his capacity, assisted by a hardworking and patriotic team. He complied with all extant laws in all his activities while he was the governor. This jaundiced probe should be disregarded as the politically motivated hatchet job it is.”

He has since filed a fundamental rights suit at the Federal High Court in Kaduna against the state House of Assembly.

‘Envy Leads To Hatred’, Says El-Rufai On A Weekend Reflection

However, in a long post on his on X handle on Saturday, El-Rufai who described envy as an ‘incurable disease’ said he doubted if it could be cured among the political class.

He said, “WEEKEND REFLECTION: “NONE of us has to fail for ALL of us to succeed. And in unity there is strength.” – @VP Kamala Harris, US Vice President (2021-2024) and Democratic Presidential Candidate at the Democratic National Convention,

“The quote above led me to reflect on the meaning and implications for our situation in Nigeria. Feelings of envy require that EVERYONE fails for ONE to succeed.

“Envy is quite prevalent amongst the key actors in our political system. Competence, capacity, and commitment are some personal leadership qualities that attract the envy of those lacking or deficient in these indices.

“Instead of striving to attain, the envious seeks to hate and destroy those that are better. Envy leads to hatred.

“Hatred leads to destructive thoughts and actions, including unspeakable crimes like perjury, malicious prosecution, persecution, unlawful imprisonment, torture and even murder for the target(s) of the envy.

“Can the incurable disease of envy amongst Nigerians, particularly within the members of the political class be cured? Personally, I doubt it.

“The emerging problem of Nigeria is the outcome of the continuously deteriorating competence, capacity and commitment of the political leadership.

“Societies succeed or fail depending on these personal and institutional qualities.

“No matter what, the incurable virus of ENVY has to be confronted and degraded, if not cured, if Nigeria is to achieve its manifest destiny of greatness and leadership of the Black Race. I pray this can be realized. Amen.”