ONE WORD

Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly purchased the world’s most expensive car, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire which costs a ridiculous sum of over £9million (N4.2billion) The wicked looking Bugatti was first presented to the world at the Geneva Motor Show 2019. The French luxury company built only one of this prototype supercar and it is a tribute to the 110th anniversary of the founding of the company. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire is powered by an 8.0-litre turbocharged W16 engine and can reach 260mph. RELATED:A new Puma kit for the Russia Fifa World Cup has just been revealed and it looks so stunning! Bugatti have confirmed the one-off model now has an owner, but have refused to officially identify them. Spanish sports paper Marca reports that the new owner is the legendary footballer, despite previous claims that it was bought by Ferdinand Piech, former chairman of the Volkswagen Group. However, here is the kicker: The owner will not be able to drive th...

The phrase “a game of inches” is usually associated with the other type of football, but it is particularly relevant to the 2018-19 Premier League, which may quite literally be decided by the tiniest of physical measurements. The lead at the top of the table changed hands for a record 30th time this past weekend, as Manchester City edged a point ahead of Liverpool via a tense 1-0 win at Burnley. Sergio Aguero’s winning goal crossed the line by a mere 29.51 millimeters — a hair over an inch — in the 64th minute of a tie in which the reigning champions were far from their best. In an age before goal-line technology, it’s likely that Matthew Lowton’s attempted clearance would have been deemed successful. In that instance, we may have seen City draw, leaving them a point behind Liverpool in the table. This isn’t the only moment in which an inch or less may have tipped the scales of the title race. During City’s 2-1 win over the Reds in January — a game that remains Jurgen Klopp’s on...

The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of two caterers and three children during an attack on Government Girls Secondary School, Moriki, Zurmi Local Government Area, on Wednesday night. The state Police Command PPRO, SP Mohammed Shehu, in a press release stated that, “On 1st May 2019 at about 21;30hrs, DPO Zurmi received a distress call that unidentified number of armed men entered into Government Girls Secondary School Moriki in Zurmi LGA through the back fence of the school with intent to attack the school and abduct students. On the spur of the moment, a combined team of PMF/CTU/ and Civilian JTF personnel headed by the DPO mobilised to the school, confronted the armed men and stopped them from gaining access to the students’ hostels. The bandits took a retreat back to the bush. “No student was abducted as earlier reported by some media. However, two caterers and three of their children were later discovered missing. The Police is collaborating with ...

Nigeria unemployment rate to reach 33.5 per cent by 2020, says the Federal Government. Chris Ngige, Wage  Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said this while declaring open a two-day workshop on “Breaking the Resilience of High Unemployment Rate in the Country”, on Thursday in Abuja. He said that the incessant increase of unemployment in the country was alarming. According to him, the high unemployment rate of 23.1 per cent, and underemployment of 16.6 per cent by the National Bureau Statistics (NBS) of 2019 report was alarming. “It is a worrisome status as the global poverty capital (World Bank, 2018); and concomitant high prevalence rate of crimes and criminality, including mass murders, insurgency, militancy, armed robbery, kidnappings and drug abuse, among others. “As if this situation is not scary enough, it is projected that the unemployment rate for this country will reach 33.5 per cent by 2020, with consequences that are better imagined, if the trend is ...

British PM, Theresa-May British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives are expected to lose hundreds of seats in local elections on Thursday, a report has said. According recent reports, there is pressure on May as she tries to resolve a political crisis over her plan for Britain to leave the European Union. According to forecasts, the Conservatives are expected to lose up to 800 seats in voting for over 8,000 members of 260 councils in most of England, excluding London and Northern Ireland. Some 60 per cent of those seats are currently held by Conservatives, a report said. May has agreed to step down as Conservative leader and prime minister once she has won parliamentary approval of a Brexit deal. She is likely to face more calls to resign earlier if Thursday’s elections prove disastrous for the party. Local governments will declare the election results later on Thursday and early Friday. May told lawmakers on Wednesday that she still hopes to reach a compromis...

Ajaokuta Steel Company Prof. Benjamin Adewuyi, the former President, Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS), says Ajaokuta Steel Company Ltd. cannot function even if completed. Adewuyi made this assertion to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja. He said that the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development was only keen on completing the steel company, not considering  how the raw materials required for the production of steel would be sourced. According to him, National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), which is one of the sources of local raw materials for steel production has remained dormant. He said that another critical facility that should be completed for the production of steel was the handling facility. “The handling facility that is an internal infrastructure very critical to the production of steel is yet to be completed. “Even the raw materials that can be used for steel production, if eventually Ajaokuta steel is completed are also yet to be ...

One of the churches bombed in the Sri Lanka blasts (credit: BBC) Service in Catholic churches across Sri Lanka will be cancelled for the second consecutive week on Sunday due to the prevailing security situation, the Catholic Archbishop’s House said on Thursday. Media Spokesperson for Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Rev. Fr. Edmund Tillekeratne, told Xinhua that the Archbishop had decided to cancel all Sunday services for the second week, requesting people to pray at home. He said that the decision was taken amid the latest security concerns in Sri Lanka. Church services have come to a halt since the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, which targeted churches and luxury hotels, killing over 250 people and injuring over 500. “Security has remained beefed up across the country since the attacks on April 21, with additional security deployed outside places of worship due to threats of fresh attacks,’’ the police said. (Xinhua/NAN)

A coalition of youth groups under the aegis of the Consolidated Youths of Niger Delta ( CYN) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to unseal the head office of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Nyesom Wike The youth groups drawn from the nine oil producing states gave the ultimatum during their emergency meeting held yesterday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital. The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Frank Naday who spoke to newsmen after the meeting said, “From our findings and from the information made available to us, it is clear that the Commission has paid the backlog of Revenue it is owing Rivers State Government. “We want to ask Rivers State Government to as a matter of urgency unseal the Commission’s office complex to enable workers to gain access to their various offices. Niger Delta Development Commission is bigger than Rivers State because it covers the entire Niger Delta region and not River “We are aware that R...

Gas flaring By Daniels Ekugo The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has commended the Senate’s unanimous adoption of the Bill for an Act to Prohibit Gas Flaring in Nigeria sponsored by Senator Bassey Akpan, representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district. The Bill, which passed second hearing in 2017, seeks to ensure natural gas is not flared or vented in any oil and gas production operation, bloc or field, or onshore or gas facility. It also contains a provision which states that any person who acted on behalf of a licensee to supply inaccurate data to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) or to any other person duly empowered by a law authority, commits an offence punishment upon conviction of the sum of N10 million (ten million naira) or imprisonment for a maximum term of six months or both. In a statement issued in Lagos, ERA/FoEN said that the Senate decision is a bold move coming after years of policy summersaults on flare-...

European Union headquarters European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Federica Mogherini, on Thursday said the U.S. law, allowing lawsuits against foreign firms active in Cuba, is contrary to international law and undermines trust in the trans-Atlantic partnership. As part of White House efforts to increase pressure on Havana, in April the U.S. announced changes to the so-called Helms Burton Act, which would come into effect on May 2. Specifically, Washington decided to lift its suspension of Title III, under which U.S. citizens of Cuban descent can sue foreign firms and individuals using property confiscated from them by the Cuban government after the country’s 1959 revolution. “Those who use such property will also face visa restrictions to the U.S.,’’ Washington announced. According to Mogherini, the EU deeply regrets the move. “The EU considers the extra-territorial application of unilateral restrictive measures to be contrary to international law. “The decision to activ...

Popular music record label executive, Don Jazzy has sent a farewell message to Tiwa Savage as she leaves his Mavin Records. The Chief Executive Officer of Mavin Records, Micheal Collins, popularly known as Don Jazzy, has sent his farewell message to singer, Tiwa Savage, as she exits the label.   Savage, who just signed a deal with Universal Music Group on Thursday was associated with Mavin Records for seven years, having joined in 2012.   Don Jazzy took to his Instagram account to post a “Thank you for an amazing seven years” photo which he captioned with some sweet words. His caption read: "Our darling Tiwatope. We at Mavin would like to say a very big thank you for being such an inspiration to all of us, a friend, a sister.    "It’s been an epic journey with you and we are very proud of what we have achieved together.    "As you start this new chapter in your life we want you to know that we are solidly behind you and can’t...

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been commended for transforming the international terminal of the Nnamidi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. The commendation was given by British Airways. The airline’s Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, gave the commendation on Tuesday in a press statement The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has been commended for transforming the international terminal of the Nnamidi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. The commendation was given by British Airways. The airline’s Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, gave the commendation on Tuesday in a press statement. The statement was made after the airline moved to the international terminal for its operations. In the statement, Olayinka said: “British Airways is pleased about the new Abuja International Airport Terminal, we embrace any opportunity to improve our services to passengers. “Our newly upgraded l...

Justice The absence of defence counsel has stalled the trial of five students accused of gang-raping and blackmailing a fellow student, at an Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Moboluwaji Omowole, 19, Chuka Chukwu, 19, Peace Nwakanma, 19, James Aguedu, 20 and Josephine Osemeka, 20, students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) were arraigned over defilement of a child, permitting the defilement of a child in a premises, and pro-curation. Proceedings on Thursday, scheduled for the cross-examination of the complainant, name withheld, could not hold due to the absence of Mr Bisi Ademulegun, the new defence counsel to Omowole, the first defendant. Ademulegun, had written to the court seeking for a short adjournment because he was Omowole’s new defence counsel and had just been briefed on the case. He noted that on the day scheduled for the continuation of the trial of the students, he had a case before the Court of Appea...

…says process will help consolidate democracy The Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA) has announced the arrival in South Africa of its election observation mission (EOM) led by former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to observe the country’s national and provincial elections. Jonathan A statement issued by the South African-based EISA ahead of the May 8 elections quoted former President Jonathan of stating that the polls would provide another opportunity for South Africans to exercise their voting right and deepen the roots of the nation’s democracy. In the arrival statement Jonathan said: “It is a great pleasure for me to lead the EISA election observation mission to the 2019 national and provincial elections in South Africa. These elections which come in the 25th year of South Africa’s democratic journey are of great importance as they provide another opportunity for South Africans to exercise their right to vote and thus support the country’s democ...

Court gavel Two sales persons Olanike Lawal and Risikat Mayegun, were on Thursday arraigned in an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing N7.1 million from their employer. Lawal, 26 and Mayegun, 45, appeared on two-count charges each of conspiracy and dishonest conversion. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Prosecutor, Insp. Oladele Adebayo said that the duo had committed the offences between January and April this year, at Happy Place International Shop, No. 14, Ogba Road, Moshalashi, Agege. Adebayo alleged that the defendants had converted N7.1 million, belonging to Mrs Abiola Kazeem, their employer, into personal use. He said the offences contravened sections 280 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. NAN reports that the Chief Magistrate, Mr O.O.Olatunji, admitted the defendants into bail of the sum of N1 million with two sureties each in like sum. Olatunji adjourned the case until June 13, for further mention

Farmers tending crops Mr Godshield Kanjal, the Chief Executive Officer, Kalz Farms in Ogoja, Cross River says the current climate change in the country is drastically affecting farming in the state. Kanjal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar that most crops planted by farmers were drying up due to lack of rainfall. “When we had little rainfall in March this year, we thought there is going to be regular rainfall and we started planting, but since then everywhere has dried up and all the crops we planted then, some of which germinated have died. “It is a big loss to some of us, especially the small holder farmers. Right now, we can only plant rice and cassava or possibly yam but nothing more, ‘’ he said. Kanjal, a journalist turned farmer, said that the situation might lead to scarcity of food this year. “I am afraid this may affect food supply this year because we are already in May and we are yet to start planting, especially farmers that depend solely on na...

President Salva Kiir of South Sudan South Sudan on Thursday maintained its position of forming a Transitional Unity Government (TGoNU) on May 12 as warring parties meet in Ethiopia to review the implementation of a peace deal signed in September. Ateny Wek Ateny, President Salva Kiir’s spokesman, told Xinhua in Juba that the government’s position remained the same on forming the TGoNU in accordance with the peace agreement mediated by regional body Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). “Our position is that the unity government should be formed on May 12, because any extension or provision not agreed upon is violation of the peace agreement,’’ Ateny said. He said Kiir, a key signatory to the peace deal signed in September 2018, together with rebel leader Riek Machar, would not be present at the meeting in Addis Ababa. Instead a high-level delegation led by the information minister will attend the gathering. The main rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberatio...

Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri, has admitted his team is in “trouble” defensively, as Gary Cahill joins Antonio Rudiger on the injury list ahead of their Europa League semi-final against Frankfurt. Rudiger will miss the end of the season, after suffering a knee injury during Chelsea’s Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester United at the weekend. The 26-year-old had surgery on his knee this week and Sarri expects the defender to be out for “at least three months”. Club captain Cahill has also not travelled with the rest of the squad to Eintracht Frankfurt. “Cahill is out… it’s a problem with the Achilles tendon. He is out for the moment. I hope to have him back in one week. “But he is out so we are in trouble with the centre-backs. In training we played with [Cesar] Azpilicueta at centre-back, in case as he is the only one who can play there. “It is normal it can happen. We have had a lot of games and been unlucky with injuries. Worried? A little. “Rudi is out for at least ...

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s new Prime Minister. New Zealand postponed plans to re-enter Pike River Mine in which 29 men died in 2010, just one day before the shaft was set to be unsealed on Friday, an official said on Thursday. “Yesterday, unexpected and unexplained readings were reported by the atmospheric monitoring systems in the Pike River mine, leading to re-entry operations being suspended. “Safety has always been our first priority and will continue to be,’’ the minister in charge of the operation, Andrew Little, said. According to him, in these circumstances, the appropriate precaution is to temporarily suspend operations. While previous governments deemed the re-entry too dangerous, the Labour Party set up a Pike River Recovery Agency after its 2017 election tasked with recovering bodies and investigating the cause of the explosion. Friday’s operation was aimed at getting to the so called 30-metre mark where the mine was sealed nine days after the initial e...

Mr Mohammed Adamu, Acting Inspector-General of Police. The Police in Rivers say they have secured the unconditional release of four abducted staffers of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). DSP Nnamdi Omoni, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command in the state, made this known in a statement on Wednesday. Omoni said that the four staffers, who were abducted on April 24 on the East/West Road, were debriefed and released to their families after they were rescued. He said that operatives of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued the victims in a sting operation on Monday at about 0015hrs. The PPRO said that in another development, operatives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit in Aluu Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, on Tuesday raided a kidnapping camp at Ozuoba. “The hoodlums on sighting the police, engaged them in a gun battle and in a return fire, fatally wounded one Stephen Matthew ‘m’ aka ‘Wenekanma’ ...

Manchester United have already said they will be “ruthless” as they rebuild their squad this summer, and it appears they are trying to crack on with that as soon as possible. A report from the Evening Standard states that the Red Devils are lining up deals for two Portugal youngsters who have impressed mightily in the Portuguese capital this season. Joao Felix and Bruno Fernandes are at the top of United’s summer wishlist, and the report states that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to seal the deals as soon as possible. A transfer fee of $196 million for both of the players has been suggested, with Felix costing a little more as Benfica aim to cash in on their top talent after his stunning season. The only snag is that United may not be able to offer the duo Champions League action next season, as their chances of finishing in the top four are very slim heading into the final two weeks of the season. Man City and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Felix, just 19 yea...

Sales of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and cost cuts helped Volkswagen (VW) shrug off a 1 billion euro legal charge and meet first-quarter operating profit forecasts on Thursday, sending its shares 3.3 per cent higher. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell to 3.9 billion euros or 4.37 billion dollars from 4.2 billion a year earlier but were in line with the 3.92 billion euros expected by analysts. Analysts praised Volkswagen’s strong EBIT results at a time when other car makers and suppliers were cutting their outlook. “The comparison to other companies like Daimler which posted a 30 per cent drop in adjusted operating profit, is impressive,” Metzler analyst Juergen Pieper said. VW said it expects its return on sales for its passenger cars business to be at the lower end of its 6.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent margin target for the year but analysts were impressed that VW reiterated the goal. VW’s Bentley unit reversed losses, the car maker said. Volkswagen stuck t...

Lionel Messi scored his 11th and 12th goals of this season's UEFA Champions League to help favourites Barcelona beat Liverpool 3-0 in the first leg of the semi-final at the Camp Nou on Wednesday. Messi scored twice in the second half, including a stunning free-kick that marked his 600th goal for the club. He found the net on a night when ex-Reds striker Luis Suarez finally opened his account in this season's competition. Their goals helped the Blaugrana build a commanding aggregate lead ahead of the return fixture at Anfield on Tuesday, May 7, a lead which has cemented Barca's status as favourites with the oddsmakers. Ajax will also take a lead into the second leg of the semi-final stage after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in north London on Tuesday night. Donny van de Beek's third goal in the tournament has helped make Ajax second favourites. Semi-Final 1st Leg Results Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Ajax Barcelona 3-0 Liverpool B/R Betting @br_betti...