Senegal break Burkina Faso to Reach Final.

Senegal is through to a second consecutive Africa Cup of Nations final after breaking Burkina Faso hearts in their last-four tie in Yaounde on Wednesday, Abdou Diallo, Idrissa Gana Gueye, and Sadio Mane scoring second-half goals to secure a 3-1 victory.

                  Senegal's two possible final opponents are the most successful sides in AFCON
                                         

Africa's top-ranked national team, Senegal will find out their opponents in Sunday's final on Thursday, when hosts Cameroon take on Egypt in the second semi.

"We dedicate this win to our people," said Senegal coach Aliou Cisse.

"We're satisfied this evening. Our dream is to win the trophy because that's what the boys merit given everything they've put into this."

Cisse's side had two penalties awarded in the first half only for the Ethiopian referee to change his mind both times following a VAR review.  However, they went ahead just after the midway point in the second period when Paris Saint-Germain defender Diallo popped up in the box to produce a striker's finish.

The second arrived on 76 minutes as Mane provided a superb assist for Gueye, also of PSG, to score, and Mane completed the palm late on after Blati Toure had pulled a thing back.

Senegal's two possible final opponents are the most successful sides in AFCON history with 12 titles between them, while the Lions of Teranga are still searching for their first continental crown, two and a half years after losing to Algeria in the final in Cairo.

"We knew it wasn't going to be at all easy to get to two straight AFCON finals, but the most important for us now is to go all the way and win it, whoever we come up against," said Mane.

 Senegal's opponents here couldn't be underestimated.

Burkina Faso has shown itself to be a talented young side and one driven by the desire to give joy to supporters in a country reeling after President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was overthrown in a military coup last week. That happened to a backdrop of a jihadist insurgency in the landlocked country, and their coach, Kamau Malo, talked of the events giving his platoon" added motivation".

They showed plenty of fight and matched their opponents for long spells, but they didn't trouble Chelsea's Edouard Mendy in the Senegal goal often enough.

Mendy's opposite number, Herve Koffi, was stretchered off half an hour in after landing horribly as he went up to punch the ball clear in an upstanding challenge with Cheikhou Kouyate.

Referee Bamlak Tessema initially gave a spot-kick before changing his mind after a VAR review, as Kouyate was able to resume but Koffi could not.

There's nothing to suggest he's seriously hurt, but he's undergoing further tests just so we can be reassured," said Malo, who said his side had enjoyed"a wonderful adventure".

Referee Tessema also pointed to the spot in first-half injury time when a Gueye shot struck the arm of Burkina Faso's Edmond Tapsoba in the area, but again he changed his mind after a review of the images showed the defender's arm was in close to his body.

The breakthrough arrived with 20 minutes left, Kalidou Koulibaly trying an acrobatic attempt at a corner and inadvertently setting up Diallo to score, beating substitute' keeper Soufiane Farid Ouedraogo.

Senegal's pressing made the second goal as Mane got to the byline and set up Gueye, who just beat Bamba Dieng to the finish. It was always going to be huge ask after that for the Stallions against a Senegal side who had conceded only once in the whole tournament.

They did reduce the deficit eight minutes from time as Issa Kabore's cross was diverted in by Toure's knee.

Mane had the final say, though, bursting clear in the 87th minute to make it 3-1.

He'll find out on Thursday if he'll come up against his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah and Egypt in the final.  

Credit: pulse.ng

Nigerians in the North East will Substantiate a Change from Prolonged Insurgency to Peace.

The chairman stated this at the induction of the Presidential Committee on the Extradition, Return, and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East, which preceded the daily Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting. According to him, the administration is embarking on a revised approach to addressing the 13- year conflict and insurgency in the region and won't relent in efforts towards a return to peace and normality. 

                                                 President Muhammadu Buhari

He said the arrival of this administration in 2015, I pledged to Nigerians that I'll restore peace in the North East and return it to the path of development and growth. I remain committed to this pledge. 

” To the people of the North-East, particularly the children and future of the North-East, we will no way forget you. Your courage, immolation, and abidance have been exemplary.

I pledge to you that in the coming months you'll begin to witness a shift away from a protracted insurgency to peace structure, stabilization, and eventually development in your separate communities as we embark on a revised approach to addressing this conflict-A Return to Normality.  

On the terms of reference of the Committee, the chairman emphasized that it included a shift from managing the situation to cranking an endless result for effective and practicable restoration. According to the chairman, the Committee, among other things, is anticipated to develop a concise three-year action plan by the end of March 2022 that incorporates national and state-level plans, providing a clear pathway for the restoration of peace and development in the North East. 

The Committee, he said, would also develop and implement a phased plan for the extradition, return, resettlement of IDPs, and restoration of livelihoods, incorporating global stylish practices that give dignity to the affected populations.  

He said they would also be responsible for the development and implementation of a coordinated peace structure and reconciliation program that's culturally appropriate and community-driven. 

The Committee is also saddled with the responsibility of strengthening collaboration with key benefactors, development mates, and private sector organizations that are critical to the mobilization of resources and implementation of programs,  he added. 

Buhari charged the Committee members to adopt the guiding principles of accountability, delineation of duty, and community-driven styles to address issues. Members will devote further time to the conduct of field visits to regularly engage with state government, communities, and crucial stakeholders. 

Due to prevailing financial constraints, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will use being popular coffers and repurpose finances to programs approved under this action, he said. 

The chairman directed the commission to submit a yearly progress report whilst the first progress review meeting would be held in the first week of March 2022. 

History motions and Nigeria calls on you to be the platoon that finally charts this new path to the restoration of sustainable progress in the North East and I strongly believe this could lead to the birthing of a template for addressing insurrection and instability in other parts of our country and across the world. 

Failure to deliver on this task you have been assigned isn't an option.

The President also used the occasion to commend Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who was present at the inauguration with his Gombe counterpart, Inuwa Yahaya, for his unparalleled commitment to his people and exemplary leadership. 

He also expressed appreciation to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) for support in the area of coordination of humanitarian actors and the UNDP regional stabilization facility, which is providing support in the area of security and the rule of law. 

Members of the Presidential Committee on the Extradition, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East include the Ministers of Finance, Budget, and National Planning; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development; Interior; Foreign Affairs and Defense. 

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the End SARS protesters to put an end to their demonstrations.

President Buhari appealed while stressing that his administration has heard their complaints

                                                              President Muhammadu Buhari

He also warned hoodlums who have hijacked the peaceful protest to desist. The president spoke during his nationwide address, on Thursday.

Full details below:

My Fellow Nigerians,

It has become necessary for me to address you have heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.

2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine, and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.

4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.

5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

6. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

7. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

8. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties destroyed or vandalized; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.

9. All these executed in the name of the END SARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expressions of grievance of the youth of our country.

10. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgment and disruptive behavior.

11. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Corona-virus pandemic.

12. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women, and the most vulnerable groups in our society. These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:

. Paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small – and medium – enterprises,

. Paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,

. Giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and

. Guaranteeing a market for the products of traders.

 

13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;

a. Farmermoni,

b. Tradermoni,

c. Marketmoni,

d. N-Power,

e. N-Tech and

f. N-Agro.

14. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation as we have done.

15. About the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

16. To underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

17. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

18. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.

19. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens, are protected.

20. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

21. To our neighbors in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.

22. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos to truncate our nascent democracy.

23. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

24. I, therefore, call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage the government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect the lives and properties of all law-abiding citizens without harming those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

26. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.

27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.

Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Manchester United Window Transfer New signing to be Secured Latest.

A slow start to the season almost cost them a top-four place and any new signings need to be secured sooner instead of later this point around.

 

Manchester United

As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer walked off the pitch at Leicester's King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon, he searched towards were Manchester United's four directors had been sitting and was given a thumbs up from group director Richard Arnold.

 

It was employment well done from the Norwegian.

 

United was written off by many before Christmas - following a disastrous start to the season - but they secured a finish, the second-highest league position since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, and clinched Champions League football for following campaign with their convert Leicester.

 

Coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna had a celebratory beer pitch side to mark the top of a protracted Premier League season while Solskjaer was undertaking the various television interviews he was obligated to finish. The message to everyone - and in his post-match press conference - was the same.

 

“This isn't the end of the journey; it’s gone again to the next one and we know there are two teams far before us,” Solskjaer said in regard to Manchester City and Liverpool. And those teams aren’t just a little bit ahead of United.

 

There’s no denying that it’s been a good season in the league in terms of where they finished but that’s all relative to things, they find themselves in.

 

They have struggled to mount a title charge since Ferguson retired and despite finishing third, they were 33 points off league leaders Liverpool. There’s still a lot of work to be done.

 

The owners and board have so far backed Solskjaer in his rebuild. Even when the club was struggling at the beginning of the season they stood by the Treble winner. Within the club hierarchy, there was never any doubt that he would be given a while to mold his new-look team. Since he was given the job on a permanent basis in March 2019, he has brought in five players – Daniel James, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Bruno Fernandes, and Odion Ighalo.

 

He’s shown why he needs backing within the window again this summer thanks to the stellar performances of those he signed. Despite the warnings about the financial climate thanks to Covid-19 there's money to be spent and the club remains hopeful that at least a few of deals can be agreed.

 

The last time United finished this high within the league they missed the chance to strengthen properly. Fred arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52m ($68m), Diogo Dalot from Porto for £19m ($25m), and Lee Grant from Stoke for £1.5m ($2m).

 

Jose Mourinho didn’t get the center-back he was after in the lead-up to the 2018-19 season and his dissatisfaction set the tone for the start of the campaign which saw him sacked by Christmas.

 

There’s no risk of Solskjaer throwing his toys out of the pram in the same manner if he doesn’t get his desired additions but it’s vital he’s given the backing he needs.

The world patiently awaits the official announcement from Napoli on the signing of Victor Osimhen

The world patiently awaits the official announcement from Napoli on the signing of Victor Osimhen, the striker’s former agent, Jean-Gerard Benoit Czajka, has revealed some events that helped influence the 21-year old’s decision.

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen was reported to be unenthusiastic about playing for any club within the Italian Serie A even with Ronaldo at Juventus initially.

However, his former agent revealed that talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Senegal defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, helped change the Lille star’s mindset about Italy.

“Victor didn't want to travel to Italy. From the beginning, he has been stuck on the thought of playing in Serie A,” Goal quoted Benoit Czajka in an interview with France Football.

“He told me that racism issues scared him which he didn’t feel it. He even told me in March-April: “I don’t want to travel and play in Italy even if it’s for Juventus at €10 million net per year.

“I told Victor that before having such strong ideas, that he had to travel to see for himself, meet people, talk with players who are confronted with racism, etc.

“Something that we finally did on July 1, 2 and three where we met the coach, the sports director, also because the president De Laurentiis who is a man with values and experience, and who seems to have convinced the player. Victor also spoke tons with Kalidou Koulibaly and this was decisive in his choice for Napoli.”

Osimhen enjoyed an incredible debut season in France, scoring 13 Ligue 1 goals for Lille who ended the campaign within the fourth spot before the league was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

It is reported that Osimhen is now one step away from officially becoming a Napoli player as the club chieftains and all parties involved eagerly wait for De Laurentiis to sign his dotted.

Tuttomecartowebb reported on Wednesday afternoon that only Laurentiis signature is missing from the contract paperwork that's about 36 pages after which the previous Lille striker will officially become Napoli’s newest buy.

The announcement of the long-awaited contract is expected to be concluded soon. Garmablog

Department of State Services, DSS, on Monday arraigned a 48-year old Man.

The Department of State Services, DSS, on Monday arraigned a 48-year old man, Joshua Sayo, before an Osun State Magistrate Court for allegedly defaming Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Timothy Owoeye.

The DSS Prosecutor, Barr B.O Nweke told the court that the defendant committed the offense on June 19, 2020, in Osogbo.

DSS

Nweke alleged that the defendant did defame Osun State House of Assembly Speaker by publishing contemptuous pictures and words on a Facebook account “Sayo Oki” against him knowing to be false.

He further said the accused committed an offense contrary to Section 374(1)b & 374 and punishable under Section 375 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. 2 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

But, the defendant pleaded acquitted to the defamation allegation slammed against him

The Defense Counsel, Ibraheem Imran asked the court to grant the accused bail within the most liberal term.

In her ruling Magistrate, Modupe Awodele granted bail to the accused bail within the sum of 100,000 Naira with 2 sureties in like sum.

She thereafter adjourned the case till Tuesday, July 14, 2020, for hearing.

The Founder of Victory Revival Fasting and Ministry Bishop Orhonigbe Alleged For Rape.

The founder of Victory Revival Ministry Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe Allegedly Raping a Nineteen-Year-old Girl.

Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe 

Court remands Bishop in prison over alleged rape of 19yr old girl in Delta.

The Magistrate Court II sitting in Warri, Delta State has remanded a Warri based cleric, Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe in prison custody for allegedly raping a nineteen-year-old girl.

The accused was dragged before the Court over the alleged rape of a nineteen-year-old girl (names withheld) by the Police.

Police prosecutor, SP Vincent Orawemen, leading DSP Sunny Irabor, had during motion with charge No. NW/113C/2020 prayed the Court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the legal advice of the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

The Court presided over by Mrs. Ejiro.H. Diejomaoh said it lacks the jurisdiction to listen to the matter.

Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe who has been taken to the Nigeria Correctional Service in Okere is that the Founder/General Overseer of Victory Revival Fasting and Ministry in Warri, Delta State.

The Court also adjourned the interest June 24 for mention.