ONE WORD

            Police: The Police in Adamawa has confirmed the release of Sen. Elisha Abbo’s stepmother, Madam Rifkatu Elisha. The Spokesman of the command, DSP Suleiman Yahaya, confirmed the release to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yola on Wednesday. Yahaya said that the woman was abducted by unknown gunmen about two weeks ago at the family house of Abbo at Muchalla village in Mubi North Local Government Area of the state. “Our men from the Inspector General of Police team together with other special forces deployed for the operation in the area during patrol sighted her (Rifkatu Elisha). “She was sighted on a street along Bagira road in Mubi town of Mubi North Local Government Area on Wednesday. “She is now taken to the Mubi General Hospital for medical examination,” Yahaya said. He said no ransom was paid before her release and no suspect was has been arrested in connection with the abduction. He however said that Madam Elisha was a...

MANCHESTER UNITED Home kit When you have just endured a horror campaign, there's only one thing you can do when you're a fallen giant. Look back on the good old days! And of course for Manchester United that means partying like it's 1999 and releasing a strip based on the treble year. United fans will recognise that shield crest from their Champions League winning kit from anywhere, and just in case there was any doubt of it's homage to that 'one night in Barcelona' - the kit even has the date on it. But while the strip is a smoke and mirrors distraction to the carnage at Old Trafford in the present day, it looks great - especially as the traditional white shorts have returned too. HOME KIT VERDICT: 8/10 The strip pays homage to the kit Manchester United used to win the treble in 1999 Away kit With all the carnage on the pitch in recent times, Manchester United supporters can at least take some comfort that off the pitch at least some things...

LIVERPOOL Home kit Liverpool have released their new 2019-20 home kit and while there is little surprise that it is red, there is a return to the strip that has not been seen since 1984. Pin stripes are back in vogue at Anfield having last featured on the home kit when they lifted their fourth European Cup. It would have been nicer if the stripes went the full way up the kit, but maybe the idea of falling short helped blend the old design with a modern concept. All jokes aside, this is smart strip and a good offering from New Balance in the final year of their Reds deal. HOME KIT VERDICT: 8/10 Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Alisson and Naby Keita were pictured showing off the kit Sadio Mane pointed to the badge as he showed off the last strip designed by New Balance Away kit When you are European champions you can do what you want, but the away kit Jurgen Klopp's men will be playing in away from Anfield at certain grounds next term is unlikely to live long in ...

ARSENAL Home kit It's a new era at Arsenal on the kit front as Puma are out and adidas are back for the first time in 25 years. Judging by their first strip for the Gunners on their return, supporters probably won't want them to leave again as they have produced an excellent kit, even by just keeping it simple. The three stripes are tastefully added and the trim around the neck and sleeves both serves as a past tribute to previous adidas Arsenal kits, yet also perfectly compliments the design. Can it help bring the good times back to the Emirates Stadium though? HOME KIT VERDICT: 9/10 Arsenal's deadly striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang poses in the new adidas kit Away kit Arsenal's away kit from the early 1990s has always been a favourite with fans, but simply bringing it back nearly 30 years on, as tempting as it is, would perhaps cause it to lose its allure. So adidas have done the next best thing and produced a new away strip with a modern look ye...

CHELSEA Home kit Swing and a miss. There is a fine line to be trodden on when trying to design a kit with a crazy pattern in the shading. An example of how to do it right comes with Mexico's 1998 World Cup kit, and even they had the advantage of the fashion crime amnesty being in force for much of the 1990s. The Blues though have no such defence and even Eden Hazard looks like he is thinking he would rather be elsewhere while wearing it judging by the club's promotional pictures. HOME KIT VERDICT: 4/10 The new kit features crazy pattern within the stitching in the latest offering from Nike Hazard, pictured in the 2019-20 kit, has since signed for Real Madrid since the strip's launch Away kit Nothing unusual at first glance at the Chelsea away strip - much of it is quite standard for the west London side, with a white kit being complimented by red and blue trim. But look at that collar. Been a while since we saw a proper one of those on a Chelsea str...

Many people have been left stunned after an African player received a chicken for winning the man of the match award.   The footballer receives his gift   Nyasa Big Bullets’ striker Hassan Kajoke was given a chicken for his exemplary performance in their 5-0 win over Karonge United TNM Super League match on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium in Malawi.   Kajoke scored a brace and as he helped his side run over Karonge United in the Malawian league clash.   The league management had earlier said that the award was given by a sponsor. However, because the photo attracted a lot of comments on social media, the Malawian league website came out to say that the chicken was given to Kajoke by a fan who was impressed by his performance in the match.   The club, however, did not have anything to hide as they posted the photo of Kajoke receiving the chicken on their Facebook page. It is this post that attracted social media comments.     T...

The Kebbi Government on Wednesday dissolved the 21 local government councils’ chairmen following the expiration of their tenure on July 24. Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Atiku Bagudu, made this known in a statement in Birnin Kebbi. “The Kebbi State Government has directed all chairmen of local government councils to hand over the affairs of the local governments to the Secretary of Local Government of their area,” Dakingari said. He said the action followed the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen and councilors on July 24. “An official circular from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Umar, indicated that the chairmen and councilors were elected for two- year tenure. ”They were also sworn into office on the 24th of July, 2017,” he said. Dakingari said the state government appreciated the outgoing chairmen and councilors for their selfless contribution to the devel...

A day after winning the leadership of his Conservative party, the former London mayor and figurehead of the 2016 Brexit campaign formally replaced Theresa May. LONDON: Boris Johnson took over as Britain's prime minister Wednesday, promising to pull his country out of the European Union on October 31 by any means necessary. A day after winning the leadership of his Conservative party, the former London mayor and figurehead of the 2016 Brexit campaign formally replaced Theresa May. His ascent is the culmination of a lifelong ambition for the blond-haired politician, who delights in playing the clown but now faces an immense challenge ahead. Johnson has promised to deliver Brexit in three months' time but faces opposition in Brussels and has only a wafer-thin majority in the British parliament. Beloved by many for his refusal to take life too seriously, he is accused by others of divisive rhetoric, a flexible approach to the truth and incompetence. Before he even too...

                        Sen. Godswill Akpabio, one of the ministerial nominees says he will do his best in any portfolio assigned to him by President Muhammadu Buhari. Akpabio, the nominee from Akwa Ibom, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after his nomination was the Senate on Wednesday. The minister-designate expressed his readiness to work with the president in taking Nigeria to the next level in agriculture and industrialisation. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akpabio, Sen. George Akume and Rep. Emeka Nwajuiba, being members of the National Assembly at one time or the other, were excused from the usual questioning in the exercise which began on Wednesday. Akpabio who was the Minority Leader of the 8th Assembly between 2015 and 2019 said “I will do my best to help the president to take Nigeria to the next level. “By this, we are talking about minimising banditry, increasing our foreign direct...

The Spaniards are believed to be willing to accept a lower price for the midfielder after securing Nabil Fekir from Lyon for just £22m on Monday. The 23-year-old was on loan from PSG at the Seville side last season and scored 15 times before a permanent £20m move was triggered in April.  PSG are set to receive 20 percent of the fee – which will also include hefty add-ons. Spurs have already strengthened their midfield this summer with a club-record £65m deal for Tanguy Ndombele, while Jack Clarke will spend the season on loan at Leeds. Tottenham are reportedly closing in on their third summer signing with a cut-price £45m move for Giovani Lo Celso. Real Betis had been holding out for £60m for the Argentine international but have agreed to lower their demands, according to The Sun. The move appeared to grow closer on Tuesday when the 23-year-old was left out of Betis' pre-season tour of Mexico.

Gareth Bale remains an isolated figure at Real Madrid despite all he has achieved with the club Despite being the club's best player and top scorer during the run-in, Zidane left him out of the Champions League final against Liverpool. Earlier in the season, he had dropped him against Paris Saint-Germain for the last-16 tie and substituted him at half-time in the second leg of the quarter-finals against Juventus. Bale climbed off the bench to rescue the team with two goals. But that display only convinced Zidane that selling Bale could pay for his rebuilding plan. In the end, it was Zidane who left the club last summer, after his demand that Bale be sold was rejected. When Zidane returned midway through last season, it was evident he had not changed his thinking. He still wanted Hazard and Pogba and he still saw Bale's departure as the best way of financing the change. And if he gets his way, Bale's final act will have been that friendly against Bayern Munich in ...

Manchester United have rejected a £54million offer from Inter Milan for Romelu Lukaku. News of the bid came just hours before the two clubs were due to play each other in the International Champions Cup in Singapore. 'It's not easy to play against teams like Juventus and Manchester United without a striker, but the market is open so there is still a process for players to come in and out.' United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted that Lukaku missed his third game in a row on tour after sitting out the first two friendlies against Perth Glory and Leeds United. 'No, he's not fit so he won't be available,' said Solskjaer. 'I don't have any updates from the last time I spoke to you. Luke (Shaw) has missed a couple of days, training Anthony (Martial) one day and Romelu is the one who has missed them all.' On Friday, Inter boss Conte confirmed his desire in signing Lukaku, describing the 26-year-old as an 'important player' in his p...

The prize money for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has been revealed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The continental showpiece ended with Algeria edging Senegal by a goal to nil in the final and the Desert Foxes, according to  Soccer Laduma, will receive US$4.5 million while the Teranga Lions will get US$2.5 million for coming second. For coming third, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will get US$2 million while quarter-finalists  South Africa will receive $800 000. Below is the full allocation of the prize money: Angola and Kenya (Third place in group-stages): $620.000 Round of 16: $670.000 (Benin, Uganda, Egypt, Mali, Guinea, DR Congo, Cameroon and Ghana) Quarter-finals: $800.000 (Madagascar, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Benin) Semi-finalists: $2 million (Nigeria and Tunisia) Senegal: $2.5 million. Algeria: $4.5 million.

  Dr Vitalis Orikeze-Ajumbe, the National Coordinator of South East Equity Alliance (SEA) and an APC chieftain on Wednesday described President Muhammadu Buhari as a true visionary leader for nominating `men and women of pedigree’ as ministers. Orikeze-Ajumbe told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that about 80 per cent of the nominees were tested and trusted technocrats. Orikeze-Ajumbe, also congratulate the nominees, and affirmed the party’s readiness to transform the economy of the country. He also expressed confidence in the incoming cabinet to take Nigeria to the “next level of economic and political stability”. “Although the President has performed well in his first term, this second term will be better and more rewarding with this crop of ministers,” he said. The APC chieftain who was also a former commissioner in Imo, called on Nigerians to support the government of President Buhari for full delivery of the party’s manifesto. He described the likes of Festus Keya...

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad, has called for more engagement with the European Union and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in the area of community health development. The emir made the call on Tuesday when he received a team from UNICEF, led by Rabiu Musa, UNICEF Communication Specialist, in his palace in Argungu, Kebbi state. Muhammad, who commended the organisations for their various intervention programmes, said the intervention had transformed healthcare delivery system in most hard-to-reach communities in the state. “Under the programme we have enjoyed a lot of extension and improvements in our facilities; from buildings to operators and staff and several others. ‘’The intervention has also made it possible for us to build a strong relationship with health workers and also community mobilisation efforts which has made our people to accept routine immunisation the more. “Also, the provision of motorcycles has made it easier for health workers to ...

Tech giant, Google, on Wednesday announced new products and features to make it more helpful to users in Nigeria and across Africa. Among the new products include navigation instructions in a Nigerian voice for both motorcycle and car driving modes. Other new features include imagery for Street View, Gallery Go, Google Go updates, Google Lens and Bolo, and a Nigerian culinary experience from Google Arts and Culture. The tech giant has also partnered with the Nigerian Government to make an online safety curriculum available to all primary and secondary school students in the country, reaching an estimated 56 million Nigerian students every year. A dedicated travel mode has also been introduced in Google Maps to provide directions and navigation for motorcycles in Nigeria. This will also be available in Benin Republic, Ghana, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda from today. A navigation instruction has also been launched in a Nigerian voice for both motorcycle and car driving modes. In...

The Senate on Wednesday commenced the screening of the 43 ministerial nominees appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the list of the nominees was sent to the Senate on Wednesday in accordance with section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan had announced that there would be two sessions for the exercise. He said the morning session would commence by 10:00 a.m. daily and terminate at 1:00 p.m., while the second session would commence by 2:00 p.m. and end in the evening “depending on the mood of the Senate.” Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, the nominee from Abia opened the floor by introducing himself to the lawmakers and requesting for questions. Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC Kebbi) and Sen. George Sekibo (PDP Rivers) were the first to ask Ogah questions about the solutions to what they described as the slow economic growth and youth unemployment in the country. Ogah, in his answer, identified building of crit...

‘Scott is a good example of what we expect and hope from our youngsters,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He's being patient. I hope he's going to break through properly and have a great impact on the team. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has no regrets about taking Romelu Lukaku on Manchester United’s pre-season tour even though the Belgium striker hasn’t been able to play. Lukaku will miss his fourth game in a row against Tottenham in Shanghai on Thursday with the ankle injury that has also limited his ability to train with the rest of the squad. It has come against a backdrop of intense speculation linking him with Inter Milan who failed with a £54million bid for the player last weekend. ‘Lukaku won't be fit no,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He's been working with a physio the last few days so he won't make this one either. ‘Of course, it's never nice to be a player who misses out on important fitness work and team understanding and tactical approach, so he'll just have to...

However, the United hierarchy have once again blocked any transfer, effectively pricing Pogba out of a move by refusing to consider selling for anything less than £170m. The Frenchman has been booed on occasions in the past but Solskjaer believes the majority of fans will back him once the season starts. 'No, I think our fans know what Paul has given the club and what he can give us,' said the United manager. 'Of course there is a loud, small minority, but Paul has been an absolutely top individual and me and the players would testify to that. 'He's never been a problem and we're just grateful he performs as well as he does.' Paul Pogba won't face a backlash from Manchester United fans over his attempts to leave Old Trafford, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Pogba's future at United has been in doubt for the second summer in a row as his agent Mino Raiola tries to engineer a move to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Both Pogba and Raiol...

The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), Lagos State Chapter, on Wednesday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for replacing most of his first-term cabinet members with new hands. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president’s list of 43  ministerial nominees was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. The list of the nominees showed that Buhari returned only 12 former ministers who worked with him in his first-term and brought in 31 new ones. The group, in a statement jointly signed by its State Coordinator, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga and its Secretary, Mr Adekunle Aderibigbe in Lagos congratulated all the ministerial nominees. “We are highly delighted with the president’s decision to relieve most of the members of his old cabinet in order to give way for the “Next Level” that passionate patriotic citizens voted for. “We had waited patiently for this moment with the belief that the necessary background check would have been carried out to affirm the person...

The identity of the pilot who expertly averted a tragic air crash with her expertise in Lagos, has been revealed.   Captain Simisola Ajibola News made the rounds yesterday, July 23 that an Air Peace aircraft had crash-landed in Lagos. The passengers who narrowly escaped death in the incident, praised the pilot for her dexterity in handling the situation well. That pilot has now been identified as Captain Simisola Ajibola. Captain Simisola Ajibola who is seen pictured above used her expertise to avert the near tragedy on Air Peace aircraft that happened at the Muratala Mohammed International Airport Lagos. The Air Peace Boeing 737 plane lost its tyres after crash-landing at the Airport facility. According to eyewitness accounts, the incident was brought under control, thanks to the expertise of Captain Simi who handled the near-fatal incident professionally. Below are photos of the plane involved in the incident: tori.ng