Wayne Rooney

Striker returns to Everton from Manchester United

England and Manchester United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney completed a move back to his first club Everton on Sunday, the player told the Press Association in a statement.

Wayne Rooney has left Manchester United to return to Premier League side Everton
(AFP/File)

England and Manchester United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney completed a move back to his first club Everton on Sunday, the player told the Press Association in a statement.

Romelu Lukaku

Pogba is so happy his friend is joining Manchester United

Pogba shared a video which showed him dancing to celebrate his friend joining Manchester United.

  Paul Pogba was very happy to hear his friend Romelu Lukaku is joining Manchester United (Instagram / paulpogba)

Paul Pogba broke into a dance after learning that his friend Romelu Lukaku will be joining Manchester United.

Pogba and Lukaku have been holidaying together in Los Angeles where they rented a mansion together.

Following Manchester United’s announcement that they have reached an agreement with Everton on the signing of Lukaku, Pogba shared a video of his reaction.

Romelu Lukaku

 Manchester United move realises childhood dream

Romelu Lukaku says his move from Everton to Manchester United for a reported £75million ($97m, 85.5m euros) is the opportunity he dreamed of as a child.

  Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku is on his way from Everton to Manchester United

Romelu Lukaku says his move from Everton to Manchester United for a reported £75million ($97m, 85.5m euros) is the opportunity he dreamed of as a child.

The 24-year-old Belgian international striker told ESPN he hadn't hesitated over the move even though his former club Chelsea offered a similar fee but apparently baulked at the sizeable commission his agent Mino Raiola demanded.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid's Ramos 'calm' over superstar's exit rumours

Ramos told Spanish newspaper Marca on Sunday when queried about the Portuguese superstar's future.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from the club

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos says he is "very calm" about rumours linking Cristiano Ronaldo with a move away from the Spanish capital.

"In that sense I am very calm," Ramos told Spanish newspaper Marca on Sunday when queried about the Portuguese superstar's future.

Mino Raiola

'Genius' and 'big mouth' best friend to the stars

It was Raiola who masterminded Pogba's own record-smashing 105-million-euro ($119 million) return to the 'Red Devils' a year ago.

  Football agent Mino Raiola

Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans or tracksuit and trainers, it is easy to mistake Mino Raiola for just another chubby beer-loving football fan rather than the razor-sharp mind who dominates the world transfer market.

Raiola, whose Italian roots and love of pasta is highlighted by his family's pizza restaurant, is said to have been instrumental in orchestrating Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku's latest signing at Manchester United for a reported £75million ($97m, 85.5m euros) over the weekend.

Magu: APC leaders meet over Presidency, National Assembly crisis

Ibrahim Magu

 

 

John Alechenu, Olalekan Adetayo and Leke Baiyewu
There were indications on Sunday that the All Progressives Congress leaders have met over the crisis between the Presidency and the Senate on the appointment of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

Abacha injected Yar’Adua with virus that killed him — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

ARUKAINO UMUKORO

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, revealed on Saturday that the late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha wanted him, the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and the June 12 hero, the late Moshood Abiola, dead while in prison.

Lagos State Government

It's important for this generation to know Nigeria's history

It is a crime history is not taught in Nigerian schools.

p The Nigerian founding fathers, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, and Sir Abubakar Tafewa Balewa

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it"- Edmund Burke

The Lagos state government is making plans to bring back history to its schools.
On Tuesday, July 4, 2017, the Lagos state house of assembly passed a resolution to have History as a subject in its schools.
"Our history and collective patrimonies should be taught in schools to address some of the fundamental issues on nation building and give us direction. Without history, we are a lost race; it is through history we know our origin and tradition.

  Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the Egba amazon
(Black Past )

"We need to resuscitate it and make its teaching compulsory. Without our history, there is no way we can develop. The importance of history to mankind can’t be overemphasised because it helps us to remember the past and shape our future.
"No one can kill history no matter how he tries. The earlier we bring back teaching of history in our schools, the better for us" said  Deputy Majority Leader, Olumuyiwa Jimoh.

  Olumuyiwa Jimoh
(Nigerian Biography )

This is a welcome development from the Lagos state. The removal of History from Nigerian schools indicates that we as a people do not have a clear-cut direction to where we are going. If you don't know where you are coming from, you can't know where you are going to.
We have millennials who don't know the history of Nigeria apart from the general basic dates and events. The civil war is not taught in schools.
The younger generation doesn't know the stories of iconic Nigerian figures such as Madam Tinubu, Queen Amina, the founding fathers and Bishop Ajayi Crowther.

  Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther

This is one of the reasons why the nation lacks a sense of identity. Nigeria is both anonymous and confusing. A nation that does not know its history will keep going round in circles.
Much has been said about the new generation of young Nigerians and their level of patriotism. You can't blame young adults for not being head over heels for their country when they do not know its history.
Hopefully, this move by the Lagos state government gets to the desired end and kids get to learn about the past so as to avoid making the same mistakes tomorrow.

Tragedy

Menacing flood wipes out families in Suleja

Torrential rain has caused huge volumes of water to enter the homes of residents in Suleja and Lagos.

  Residences of people were overtaken by the flood.
(Premium Times)

Torrential rain has led to a massive flood which caused the deaths of quite a number of people in Suleja, Niger State.

Seven members of a family of eight, which include two mothers and children, were reportedly killed in an incident on Sunday, July 9, 2017, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

  A flooded area in Lagos
(thenigerianvoice)

In addition, various household belongings were destroyed due to the non-stop rain that has ravaged different parts of the country including Lagos.
A District Police Officer in Suleja's Division "A" control, Mohammed Mohammed, was not able to give a specific number of casualties but he stated that his men were deployed to ensure the safety of people's properties.
He said, “The flood affected many people who built their houses along the river bank; many houses have been destroyed with unconfirmed number of deaths recorded.
“Police are providing security around the scene so that hoodlums will not cart away victims’ property especially those lying outside."
NAN reported that Musliu Mohammed, 17, one of the victims who survived the flood was taken to the Suleja General Hospital, where he was placed on admission.

In Lagos

Movement was put to a stand-still following massive flood in the Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Ajah areas of the Lagos Island.
This was as a result of the week long downpour which caused great volumes of water to enter houses of residents, damaging their belongings.

  An expat seen paddling a canoe in flooded Victoria Island.
(YouTube)

A poor drainage system and below par planning can be considered as culprits in the flood prone areas which is home to the wealthy inhabitants of the state.

The unrestricted flow of water in living rooms however took away the glamour of being a resident of the Island where owning a property is most coveted.

10 things you should know about Murtala Muhammed’s assassination

Muhammed became the 4th Head of State on July 30, 1975, after General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown

 

General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1975 until his assassination in 1976.

Muhammed became the 4th Head of State on July 30, 1975, after General Yakubu Gowon was overthrown while at an Organization of African Unity (OAU) summit in Kampala, Uganda.

Here are 10 things you should know about Murtala Muhammed’s assassination:

Top 5 Nigerian players in the Premier League

The country has been exporting some of the most promising talent from the continent.

 

It seems like such a long time ago when it was extremely tough for Nigerian players to break into European leagues and enjoy a consistent level of success.

It’s a different narrative now as the country keeps exporting some of the most promising talent from the continent.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of this Nigerian influx into the big leagues is the English Premier League as Nigerian players can be found in a lot of teams from the big teams to the underperformers in the lower levels of the table.

Top 5 most shocking deaths in Nigerian football in 2016

Football can also sometimes be a source of genuine sadness for things that happen on the pitch or off of it.

 

Football is a game of passion that can spark the most gripping emotion in its ever faithful fan base.

While it can evoke the varied feeling of total happiness or utter frustration, it can also sometimes be a source of genuine sadness for things that happen on the pitch or off of it.

Nigerian football witnessed a few tragedies in 2016, and here are some of the saddest and most well-known:

Cautious Conte plays down Blues title talk

His side needed a 40th minute goal from Cesc Fabregas to dispose of Sunderland.

 

Chelsea are six points clear at the top of the Premier League following their 1-0 victory at Sunderland, but Antonio Conte is determined to silence premature title talk.

Conte is cautious about the future because although Chelsea may have a significant advantage over the other title contenders, their unconvincing performance at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday should encourage the chasing pack.

Mourinho says striker's not done yet

Mourinho believes the Swede striker's all-round display showed he retains the hunger to succeed.

 

Jose Mourinho believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic's performance in Manchester United's victory over Crystal Palace once again confirmed the striker did not move to the Premier League to wind down his career.

Ibrahimovic, 35, moved to Old Trafford as a free agent before the start of this season and his late winning goal took his United tally to 14.

The Swede also set up Paul Pogba's opener - controversially, with Ibrahimovic admitting he might have used his arm - and Mourinho believes his all-round display showed he retains the hunger to succeed.

Three and easy for Spurs' Pochettino

Two goals from Christian Eriksen and one for Victor Wanyama on Wednesday ensured Spurs bounced back from defeat on Sunday.

 

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino hailed his change of system after his side beat Hull City 3-0 to remain unbeaten on home soil in the Premier League this term.

Two goals from Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen and one for Victor Wanyama at White Hart Lane on Wednesday ensured Spurs bounced back from defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.

PSG, Monaco cruise into last-eight

Ligue 1 leaders Nice were knocked out, going down 3-2 to Bordeaux in their last-16 tie.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain eased into the French League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday with a 3-1 win over Lille while Monaco routed Rennes 7-0.

However, Ligue 1 leaders Nice were knocked out, going down 3-2 to Bordeaux in their last-16 tie.

At the Parc des Princes, PSG ended a three-match winless run as Unai Emery's men defeated Lille in a repeat of last season's final.

Lucas scored twice with a 43rd-minute penalty and a 57th-minute goal before young Spanish striker Jese made the most of just his second start to hit the third after 69 minutes.

"(Jese) progressed as the match went on and he scored," said Emery.

"It wasn't easy for him but he found his rhthym as the minutes passed. He needs to play, that is clear."

PSG will face Metz, who won a penalty shootout 11-10 against Toulouse, in the quarter-finals.

Monaco's Kylian Mbappe Lottin (R) celebrates after scoring a goal against Rennes at the "Louis II" stadium in Monaco on December 14, 2016
(AFP)

Title-chasing Monaco saw 17-year-old Kylian Mbappe hit his first professional hat-trick as the Principality side also made the quarter-finals.

Mbappe, who turns 18 on December 20, now has six goals for the season in all competitions.

Rennes will be fed up of the sight of the Stade Louis II where they lost 3-0 in a league game in September.

Jaroslav Plasil put Bordeaux ahead against Nice after 14 minutes while a 22nd-minute strike from Gaetan Laborde made it 2-0 before Alassane Plea pulled one back just before the interval.

Laborde restored Bordeaux's two-goal lead 10 minutes into the second period with Mario Balotelli's 83rd-minute penalty proving just a consolation for Nice who have already been eliminated from the Europa League this season.

Lyon also exited the tournament, losing 4-3 on penalties at home to Guingamp after a 2-2 draw in normal time where they twice came back from a goal down.

Nice's Brazilian defender Dante reacts (R) during their French League Cup match against Bordeaux on December 14, 2016
(AFP)

On Tuesday, Marseille crashed out after losing 4-3 on penalties to second-tier Sochaux following a 1-1 draw.

Bouna Sarr fired the three-time champions ahead at the Stade Bonal but Moussa Sao swiftly responded to level for hosts Sochaux.

Goalkeeper Christopher Dilo then saved spot-kicks from Doria and Aaron Leya Iseka in the shootout as Sochaux, the only non top-flight team left in the competition, advanced to the quarter-finals.

Portugal international Sergio Conceicao made a winning start as Nantes manager with a 3-1 victory over Montpellier.

Argentine striker Emiliano Sala struck either side of a Kevin Berigaud goal at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Poland international Mariusz Stepinski added a third for Nantes on the hour, although the hosts played out the final few minutes with 10 men after the dismissal of Abdoulaye Toure.

Brazil plane crash team to play again next month

The side is scheduled to play at home against International de Lage on January 29 in a state championship game.

 

Brazilian football team Chapecoense said Wednesday they will on January 29 play their first match since their squad was all but wiped out in an air crash.

Chapecoense rose from obscurity to make it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana regional tournament, but the crash cut short their dream as they flew to Colombia to play.

The crash on November 28 in the mountains of Colombia killed 71 people, including the team's key players, staff and management.

Noble boosts Hammers' survival bid

Slaven Bilic's side had been dragged into the fight for survival after a miserable run of six games without a win.

 

Mark Noble boosted West Ham's bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League as the midfielder sealed a 1-0 win over Burnley at the London Stadium on Wednesday.

Slaven Bilic's side had been dragged into the fight for survival after a miserable run of six games without a win.

 

But Noble's strike in first half stoppage-time, coming from the rebound after he missed a penalty, ended West Ham's long wait for a victory and moved the east Londoners four points clear of the relegation zone.

The Hammers are now only one point behind Burnley, who once again endured a miserable experience on their travels.

French forward ends goal drought after hypnotism

Gignac met Chile-born John Milton in November after one of his shows, in which he collectively hypnotizes an audience.

French forward Andre-Pierre Gignac had gone two months without a goal for his Mexican club Tigres of Monterrey when he got an assist from an unlikely source: A hypnotist.

Gignac met Chile-born John Milton in November after one of his shows, in which he collectively hypnotizes an audience.

The 30-year-old striker had gone 764 minutes without a league goal, his last one from the penalty spot on September 17.

Rival football fans unite after attacks

Fans made their way to the stadium after 44 people were killed on Saturday in an attack claimed by Kurdish militants.

 

Thousands of football fans came out in a show of solidarity on Wednesday for an emotionally-charged first match after twin bombings outside the Istanbul stadium of top Turkish team Besiktas.

Waving Turkish flags and whistling, fans made their way to the stadium after 44 people were killed on Saturday in an attack claimed by Kurdish militants.