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Akeredolu Commiserates With Sowore Family, Condemns Murder

Akeredolu Commiserates With Sowore Family, Condemns Murder
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has joined several other prominent Nigerians to condemn the brutal murder of Olajide Sowore, younger brother of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

Olajide was murdered in cold blood by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday in the Okada area of Edo State.

Before his death, he was a student of Igbinedion University, Okada, where he was studying Pharmacy.

In a statement on Sunday by Richard Olatunde, his chief press secretary, Akeredolu commiserated with the deceased’s family over the unfortunate incident.

The statement quoted the governor as describing “Olajide’s death as a sad event” while expressing his “heartfelt condolences to the entire family, particularly, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Akin Sowore, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area” of the state.

The governor expressed hope that God will heal the nation and grant the entire family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Brazil vs Argentina: Lionel Messi Doubtful As Neymar Eyes Victory

Brazil vs Argentina: Lionel Messi Doubtful As Neymar Eyes Victory

Brazil host Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier less than two months after their Copa America final from less than two months ago.

Depleted Brazil were second best for much of their trip to Santiago having seen 11 players prevented from joining the squad by their clubs due to coronavirus quarantine restrictions.

Key English based players Alisson of Liverpool, Chelsea’s Thiago Silva and Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus were missing but crucially Neymar, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France, was available.

But they continued their perfect start to qualifying with a seventh win out of seven as Everton Ribeiro scored the only goal in a 1-0 away victory over Chile.

COMBO-FBL-2021-COPA AMERICA-ARG-BRA

Also, Argentina star Lionel Messi is a slight doubt after being subjected to a harsh tackle by Venezuela’s Adrian Martinez on Thursday, which led to a red card.

In his first match for his country since moving to Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi struggled to stamp his authority on the match in Caracas, but it mattered little.

If Messi can play, as expected, Argentina will have a good chance of strengthening their status as the best team in South America after beating Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final in July in Rio de Janeiro.

“What matters the most is not to rest on past achievements and march on,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni Scaloni said after the 3-1 win in Venezuela. “It will be a different match against Brazil, everyone is available and whoever is at their best will play.”

Brazil lead the South American qualifying group with a perfect 21 points after seven games, while Argentina are second on 15.

Argentina maintained their unbeaten start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, cruising to a 3-1 victory at 10-man Venezuela on Thursday night.

Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring in first half injury time after Venezuela had been reduced to 10 men by Luis Adrian Martinez’s red card for a reckless challenge on Messi.

Argentina did not impress but the extra man told in the final quarter when substitutes Joaquin Correa and Angel Correa broke through.

“It will be a great, important match after the final we played,” said Lautaro Martinez.

“We have to rest and then approach the match like we did the Copa America final.”

The first four teams will automatically qualify for the tournament in Qatar next year.

The fifth-place team will take part in a playoff against a team from a different confederation.

President Conde Arrested As Military Coup Takes Place In Guinea

President Conde Arrested As Military Coup Takes Place In Guinea

Guinea soldiers on Sunday said they have taken control of the government and suspended the Constitution.

Colonel Mamady Doumbouya of the Guinea military said in a video recorded in the capital Conakry that the National Assembly has been dissolved.

A video has also circulated on social media showing President Alpha Conde being held by soldiers. He was subsequently shoved into a vehicle and driven away.

The development came after residents heard about two hours of heavy gunfire across the capital.

Mr Doumbouya said all land and air routes have been shut in the interim, asking citizens to remain at home and await further instruction on the direction of the government.

Mr Doumbouya also lamented widespread corruption and poverty as key reasons for the takeover, saying Mr Conde had failed to deliver on his promises to Guinea people.

Mr Conde 83, won a third term of office last October. Continental body AU has yet to release a statement about the development.

Ogun Community Panics As Robbers Write Ahead Of Planned Attack

Ogun Community Panics As Robbers Write Ahead Of Planned Attack

Residents of Olosan community in Leme, Abeokuta, Ogun State have received letters from robbers informing them of a planned attack on the community.

The residents have since been living in anxiety after reading the letter pasted by the robbers on walls around the community.

They warned of dire consequences if the community informs the police.

In the notice, the gang, which described itself as ‘Oga Oga’ meaning ‘Master of masters,’ threatened to kill residents who fail to keep money for them (robbers) in readiness of the impending robbery, Premium Times reports.

The notice typed out in Yoruba read: “Important notice to residents of Olosan community.

“We the boss of bosses are coming to greet you in no distant time; if you like, report to the police, that does not concern us. Whoever we visit that refuses to give a good amount of money to us, shall be killed or the person may even lose their money and life.”

Since the notice was pasted, residents have been anxious, returning home early and locking their doors by 8 p.m.

It was gathered that the Community Development Association has engaged vigilantes who patrol at night. Some of the residents have also engaged guards to safeguard their homes and properties.

The chairman of the community, who identified himself as Alhaji Ajetokun, said the notice by the unknown robbers took them unawares.

He said the police have been informed and the area is being patrolled at night by a police team.

“In the morning we saw the notice pasted around our area on walls and we became worried and as a result, we have reported to the police and they have been patrolling this environment together with our landlords.

“Please, help us beg them (the robbers), we don’t have money, please. We do not suspect anyone at the moment but they should please let us continue to live our lives in peace,” he said.

Reno Omokri To FG: Use Wizkid To Rebrand Nigeria

Reno Omokri To FG: Use Wizkid To Rebrand Nigeria
Wizkid

A former Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has urged the Federal Government to use Grammy award-winning artiste, Wizkid, to launder the image of the country like Jamaica did with Bob Marley.

Also citing other instances of governments using musical talents to brand their nation, Omokri noted via his verified Facebook account that Wizkid’s global fanbase can make Nigeria attractive to the world.

He said, “When people buy your culture, they will definitely also buy your products. Nigeria has a useless government that does not know this. They are more interested in rehabilitating Boko Haram than in rehabilitating our economy. However, our private sector should not be like them.

“Use Wizkid to brand your products, the way Jamaica used Bob Marley, and Barbados is currently using Rihanna. Wizkid’s global fan base will buy your products and buy Nigeria!

“If UBA, for example, were to brand with Wizkid, they can get millions of new account holders in The United Kingdom and Ireland. People do not buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons. And the world has emotionally connected with Wizkid and his music! As it stands, Nigeria needs Wizkid more than he needs Nigeria.”

The PUNCH

Ambassador: Nigerians Should Stop Exposing Buhari’s Failures Online

Ambassador: Nigerians Should Stop Exposing Buhari’s Failures Online
Nigeria's Ambassador to the United States of America, Uzoma Emenike

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Uzoma Emenike, says Nigerians should start projecting the Buhari administration in positive light rather than complaining about its economic and security challenges.

Ms Emenike said there’s nothing unique about what Nigerians are dealing with every day since “it happens everywhere”.

Ms Emenike was one of several ambassadors who spoke at the virtual 2021 annual general meeting organised by Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA).

“The earlier we showcase our country in the positive light, the better for us because the challenge we face is not peculiar to Nigeria alone; it happens everywhere,” She said.

Ms Emenike and other ambassadors in North America called on Nigerians in the diaspora to evolve practical solutions to the security challenges in Nigeria, stating that insecurity had become a global challenge that needed a holistic approach to address.

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, asked for collective efforts to fix the country.

“The country (Nigeria) is important for all of us. We need to be united, we should not allow anybody coming from outside to divide us. Let us collectively fix whatever is bad in our security system. The issue of confidence-building is important.

“We have been saddled with self-doubt; listening to false stories about the country. We have to be realistic; Nigeria is a very important member of the international community, in AU and ECOWAS, so we need to portray the country in a good light,” he said.

Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, Adeyinka Asekun, said the ongoing activities of bandits in some states were distracting Nigerians and the international community from focusing on the achievements in other sectors in Nigeria.

The keynote speaker, Kingsley Moghalu, said that the 1999 Constitution was clear on security and welfare of the people being the primary responsibility of any responsible government.

Speaking on the theme ‘Building a Sustainable Security Apparatus in Nigeria: Diaspora Perspective’, NIDOA chairman, Obed Monago, tasked the federal government to tackle security issues such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, among others.

The issue of banditry continues to overwhelm the President Muhammadu Buhari regime, as the U.S. offers to assist Nigeria to tackle bandits and the Boko Haram insurgency by providing training to personnel of the Nigerian airforce.

Peoples Gazette

Kaduna LG Polls: Governor El-Rufai Loses Polling Unit To PDP

Kaduna LG Polls: Governor El-Rufai Loses Polling Unit To PDP
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, on Saturday, lost his polling unit to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the local council election held in the state.

The results, announced by the state Independent Electoral Commission for Unit 01 Ungwar Sarki, Kaduna North Local Government, showed the PDP getting 86 out of the 159 votes for chairman.

Announced by the Presiding Officer, Muhammad Sani, Mr El-Rufai’s All Progressive Congress (APC) secured 62 votes, while APP had 1, ZLP 5, PRP 4, and 3 abstentions.

The PDP also got 100 votes for the councillorship seat out of 162, while APC scored 53, ZLP 2, PRP 2, NNPP 1, and BP 4.

Earlier, Mr El-Rufai had said the adoption of electronic voting for the local election was to ensure people’s votes count.

“As I said several times, we are not going to behave like other parties or other state governments; we will allow the people of Kaduna State to elect who they want.

“The APC did not have to win everywhere.

We don’t believe in cheating or rigging elections but also we don’t want other parties to cheat us, and that was why we encouraged the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission to come up with a fool-proof voting process,“ he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo To Make Netflix Documentary With Partner

Cristiano Ronaldo To Make Netflix Documentary With Partner

Cristiano Ronaldo will tell the world how he fell in love with former shop worker, Georgina Rodriguez, in a new Netflix documentary.

The 36-year-old will admit he fell for the pretty brunette in a ‘split-second moment’ and never thought he would end up feeling the way he did about her.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Rodriguez have been dating since 2016 after meeting in Madrid

The first details about the reality-style documentary focused on Georgina were revealed at a TV festival earlier this week when journalists were given a glimpse of the first images.

The premiere date for the documentary, which will be called ‘I Am Georgina’, has yet to be revealed.

Speaking of the 27-year-old, Netflix Spain’s Director of Entertainment Alvaro Diaz said : “Georgina is totally honest and recognises in the documentary that her life changed from having nothing to absolutely everything.

“‘I Am Georgina’ has a strong aspirational component. Georgina went from selling luxury to being gifted it and showing it off on the red carpet.

“She was a normal young woman whose life changed dramatically one day. She was leaving work one day and crossed paths with the love of her life. Who has not dreamed of that?”

Rodriguez regularly shares snaps of her family to her fans on social media

Ronaldo smashes shirt sales records after Man Utd squad number announced his shirt number.

Confirming Manchester United forward Ronaldo would appear, he told local media: “Cristiano’s incorporation is total but complements a vision of who Georgina is and her relationship with the father of her children.

“It conditions all her life but the focus is on her and knowing her also through her own eyes.”

Dad-of-four Ronaldo, whose three-year-old daughter Alana Martina with Georgina is the youngest of his brood, lifts the lid on the moment he fell for Rodriguez in the documentary.

He will tell fans: “It was a split-second moment. I never thought it would be that big as to fall in love with her, I really didn’t expect it. Georgina is the woman I am totally in love with.”

Georgina, in a preview of the first series in the documentary, confesses: “I am 27 and five years ago my life has changed.

“The day I met Cristiano was a Thursday in the summer, as I was leaving the shop when a handsome man almost two metres tall….”

The model and influencer will introduce herself to Netflix viewers by claiming: “Many people know my name but few know who I am.”

Cristiano’s move back to Old Trafford is not expected to feature in the documentary and during filming Georgina appeared to confirm he would not leave Juventus.

Ronaldo's partner Rodriguez has followed her beau to England after he returned to Manchester United

Rodriguez, who is said to have had to leave her job at Gucci in 2016 due to the paparazzi, returned to Jaca, the Spanish Pyrenees city where she lived from the age of three till around 17, for filming.

Cristiano and his family have now reunited at a rented mansion in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, following his record-breaking performance for Portugal against Ireland earlier this week.

He became the top international goalscorer in men’s football history, reaching the milestone of 111 goals in dramatic fashion by giving his nation a late win.

Cristiano, who scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell at United, will don the famous No7 jersey next Saturday when the Red Devils face Newcastle.

The football idol flew into the UK by private jet on Thursday and headed immediately to a seven-bedroom countryside hideaway where he is self-isolating under coronavirus rules before his second United debut.

He arrived in Manchester 24 hours before his partner posted a series of photos on Instagram of her and their four children travelling by private jet.

The pictures carried a heart emoji above the Manchester location tag, and she also posted a photo of a ‘welcome’ Cadbury’s chocolate bar.

It is not yet clear if she will return to Spain for the Netflix premiere of her documentary.

THE SUN

Comedian Nedu to Ex-Wife: I’ll Always Curse The Day I Met You

Comedian Nedu to Ex-Wife: I’ll Always Curse The Day I Met You
Nedu and his ex-wife, Uzoamaka

Radio presenter, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, popularly known as Nedu, of Wazobia FM, has cleared the air on allegations of domestic violence levelled against him by his ex-wife, Uzoamaka Ohiri.

Uzoamaka had taken to her Instagram stories on Friday to accuse Nedu of battering her a few weeks after she delivered their child by a Cesarean section.

“@nedu_wazobiafm I am ready now, let’s take care of our girls, leave my son out of this… Remember this picture? You beat me up while your mother held my newborn a few weeks after a Cesarean operation,” she wrote.

In response to her posts, the OAP stated that he was not in the habit of trading issues on social media, but that he needed to clear the air on the accusations levelled against him.

Nedu, in an August 8 post said that he would always curse the day he met his ex-wife; to which the woman said that all she asked for was support for their kids’ upkeep.

Stated Nedu: “First of all, I would like to state clearly that I do not support or encourage any form of domestic violence whether targeted at a man or woman. I have also never been one to physically violate anybody including my ex-wife.

“The matter has been investigated twice, one in the police station at Ajah and another by a competent court of law during the dissolution of our marriage.

“Both times, I was cleared of all allegations and I have the necessary proof to back up my claim. If any one should be laying claims to domestic violence it should be me,” he continued.

However, in an Instagram post a few minutes ago, Uzoamaka stated: “Please where are the divorce papers? We both are in accordance with being divorced. I need to sign too.

“Even when you committed bigamy, I was not moved.

“Try not to open Ajiwe police station issue again, as you know you faulted.

“As regards the scar on your hand; that was the day I was with our infant daughter. Other @wazobiafmlagos staff witnessed the drama unfold. Nedu we fought and I finally won one battle. Deal with it!

Nedu’s wound. Photo: Instagram

“As regards my son, you have already spread that certificate to the whole world. It is no longer, and has never been a secret.

“It’s okay to say you do not have a problem with me… that’s for the gram. But why are your kids suffering?

“Now that I have gotten your attention, all I have been demanding, is for you to man up to some responsibilities over our lovely kids and their welfare.

“For 4 years I have been paying for the house rent and a lot of bills. You might not understand as you have never spent more than 12 hours with them.

“We can also share the rent bills on a 50-50 ratio . I have been the only one paying for about 4 years, and trust me it has not been easy on me.

“I have called, texted and tried to reach out to you via other direct and indirect methods, but to no avail.

“Please honour this request.

“Thank you Sir.”

Google Locks Taliban Out Of Afghan Government Emails

Google Locks Taliban Out Of Afghan Government Emails

According to a Reuters report, Google has carried out a temporary lockdown on some Afghan government email accounts.

The tech giant said the lockdown was due to security concerns connected to the insurgent group accessing sensitive information left by the former administration.

In a statement on Friday, Google said it was “taking temporary actions to secure relevant accounts.”

The report states that two dozen Afghan government bodies had used Google’s servers to handle official emails, including the ministries of finance, industry, higher education, and mines. The office of the President also made use of Google’s services.

Despite the Taliban saying it would take over peacefully, there have been protests across the city over women’s right to work and continued evacuations by the U.S. government.

Last month, the World Bank announced that it would be freezing payments for its projects in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

“We have paused disbursements in our operations in Afghanistan, and we are closely monitoring and assessing the situation in line with our internal policies and procedures,” a World Bank spokesperson said.