Arsenal legend, Robert Pires, storms Lagos for Airtel Under-17 African Championship

Arsenal legend and former France international, Robert Emmanuel Pires, will lead a team of Arsenal technical and business staff to the African Championship of the Airtel Rising Stars which kicks off on Monday, September 16, in Lagos.
The World Cup winner with France is expected to jet into the country on Saturday, September 21 to participate in the activities marking the finals of the championship.
Mr. Pires’ visit comes under the partnership between Arsenal Football Club of England and the Airtel Africa Group.
The Legend was a key member of “The Invincibles”; the all-conquering Arsenal team that went 49 games without a loss in the 2003/2004. Legendary Nigerian international, Kanu Nwankwo was also a member of “The Invincibles.”
He had an illustrious Arsenal career and was voted the 6th greatest player in the history of Arsenal FC during which he won three FA cups and two Premier League titles. He also won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 with the French national team with which he was capped 79 times.
While in the country, the ex-Arsenal mid-fielder is expected to enliven the atmosphere at the finals of the Airtel Under-17 Championship and stand as an inspiration to the youngsters vying for laurels in the final games.
He is also billed to visit Oremeji Primary School 2, one of Airtel’s adopted schools in Lagos as part of its CSR initiative, Adopt-A-School programme which primarily aims to provide access to quality foundational education in remote locations of the country where standard educational facilities and quality faculties are not easily available.
The coming competition which is the season 2 of the ARS African Championship initiative involving over 18,000 boys and girls representing 16 African countries including hosts Nigeria. It will run for a period of seven days beginning with an opening ceremony onMonday, September 16 at the Ikeja Township Stadium, Agege, Lagos.
Each participating country’s team emerged after a rigorous championship that took them through the regions to national contests coordinated by seasoned soccer coaches and the football federation of the various countries.
Airtel Rising Stars Africa Football Championship is Africa’s biggest Under-17 grassroots tournament and the only one with strong consideration for gender equality with the inclusion of the Female Category.
The eventual winners in both the male and female categories will receive the grand prize of USD 10,000 each.

Saraki Clears Air on EFCC Invitation

 A former Kwara State Governor and one of the arrowheads of the breakaway faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday hinted that he might still be invited for questioning by other security agencies of government if efforts to resolve the crisis rocking the party fails.

Saraki however said he had given sufficient answers to all queries raised by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the N17 billion bond raised by his administration in 2010.

Speaking in Ilorin yesterday while answering reporters’ questions about his latest invitation by the commission, Saraki said: “I may not be surprised, given the current scenario in the national polity if another agency wakes up tomorrow to say it has discovered some other issues I must answer for.”
According to him, “I have given out the full details of how my administration utilised the bond and praised the EFCC team that interrogated me for being professional.”

Saraki, a two-term governor of the state and now senator representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, added: “Yes I was with EFCC on Monday and Tuesday to answer queries on the bond issue.

“I made it clear that bond is not money available to any government just like that; that to access it you must go through a rigorous process; that we had to submit ourselves to international evaluation before we could raise the bond.

“I gave them details of how we spent the bond because if any government wants to be reckless, it won’t issue a bond that has stringent conditions before you can access it. I listed the projects we used the money for and they are all verifiable.”

Among the projects the funds raised from the bond were used for included the Aviation College, irrigation project, Ilorin water reticulation, township stadium, rural electrification, Kwara State University, loan refinancing and the Kwara Mall, he said.

Saraki, who equally addressed youth leaders of the New PDP from the 16 local government councils of the state, stressed that it was “unfortunate that we all know what is happening today in Nigeria, so I won’t be surprised if another agency wakes up tomorrow to say they have a new thing on me.”
This clarification came along with the disclosure by Saraki that only three out of eight issues that had led to the dispute between the Tukur-led PDP and his faction had been thrashed out. Another meeting, he said, has been fixed for Sunday on the crisis.

The federal lawmaker also dismissed insinuations that the political battle between members of the New PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan was as a result of a personal grouse by members of the faction, saying it was aimed at saving Nigeria.

On the Sunday meeting between his group and Jonathan, he said his group would meet with the governors from his side to review the outcome of the last reconciliatory meeting as a means of moving the attempt at peace forward.

He said: “It is wrong for people to say or think that what we are doing is due to a personal grouse and it is because the president is weak unlike former President Olusegun Obasanjo. No, even if it were Obasanjo today, things would be different because the environment is different.”

He called on the youths in the state to continue to support the New PDP, saying the future of this nation rests on them and they should avoid being used by self-seeking politicians that lack pedigree to take them to anywhere in the country.

New Delhi gang rapists sentenced to death

 (AFP) – The judge hearing the case of four men convicted for fatally gang raping a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi last December sentenced them to death on Friday.
Judge Yogesh Khanna said the case fell into the “rarest of rare category”, which justified capital punishment.
“In these times when crimes against women are on the rise, court cannot turn a blind eye to this gruesome act,” he said.
All the four suspects were teary eyed as they entered the cramped room dressed more smartly than on Tuesday when they were convicted of a string of charges including murder and gang rape.
One of the men, Vinay Sharma, broke down in tears and cried loudly as the sentence was announced.
As the news broke, crowds inside the building and outside the courtroom roared with cheers and applauded the judgement.
The prosecution team congratulated each other, with lead lawyer Dayan Krishnan saying: “We did our job. We are happy with this sentence.”
The father of the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the family was also satisfied as he left with his wife and sons.
“We are very happy. Justice has been delivered,” he told reporters inside court flanked by his wife and sons.

Shell offers to pay N7.5bn for oil spill

The Shell Petroleum Development Company has offered to pay N7.5 billion to the indigenes of Bodo community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers, who were affected by the 2008 oil spill.
The News Agency of Nigeria gathered on Thursday that the offer was made at the ongoing settlement negotiations between the company and representatives of the community.

The meeting is taking place in Port Harcourt.

NAN reports that the company had made the proposal and was awaiting the response of the community’s representatives and their lawyers.
Shell had accepted responsibility for the 2008 oil spill which polluted the waterways of the fishing communities.
The company, however, insisted that the volume of the spill and number of those who lost their means of livelihood were exaggerated.
Shell’s spokesman, Mr. Joseph Obari, said: “We took part in this week’s settlement negotiations with two objectives – to make a generous offer of compensation to those who have suffered hardship as a result of the two highly regrettable operational spills in 2008, and to make progress in relation to the cleanup.
“We await the community’s response to our compensation proposal, and we’re pleased to have made progress in relation to the cleanup.
“SPDC and the Bodo community have committed their full support for the cleanup process, currently in progress, with the support of Bert Ronhaar, the former Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria,’’ he added.
Obari said that Shell had also proposed a series of interim measures to begin the removal of oil from the area.
“Of course, the success of any interim measures and final remediation depends on the cessation of oil theft and illegal refining in the area,” he said.

Kim and Kanye inspect construction of their $11million mansion

Kim and Kanye, who have been living with Kim's mum since welcoming their daughter, were seen yesterday inspecting on-going construction of their $11million mansion in Bel Air. Kim bought the stunning Mediterranean-style mansion brand new last month but wanted some renovations before moving in.

ASUU strike: ANC gives FG seven-day ultimatum

A civil rights organisation, the  Anti-Corruption Network,  has given the Federal Government "one week" to resolve its dispute with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

It said it would mobilise Nigerians  for a protest  to the Federal Ministry of Education.

The group, which expressed disappointment at government's lukewarm attitude to  the plight of students,   suggested that President Goodluck Jonathan should take loan to offset the N92bn  being demanded by ASUU.

It said in a statement by  its  Executive Secretary ,  Dino Melaye, that   government's attitude showed that it had no interest in  the future  of Nigerian students.

The statement reads in part, "The ongoing face-off between the Federal Government and ASUU  is a reflection of bad government and keeping quiet would be like the proverbial adult who, while at home, allowed the she-goat to suffer the pains of malnutrition on its tether.

"The Federal Government as far back as 2009 went into an agreement with ASUU and signed that agreement. Why will you agree to what you don't intend to do? A gentleman will go into an agreement and then carry out the agreement to the latter. The agreement was made in 2009; why was there no budgetary provision for that agreement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013?

"Why would the Federal Government enter into an agreement they don't intend to implement? So we are giving them one week of grace and if by Friday next week, the government did not resolve the crisis with ASUU, we will mobilise Nigerians, students and parents to be on the streets to protest against this reckless and irresponsible government.

"By Friday next week, if the Federal Government refuses to resolve the ASUU crisis, we will  protest to the Federal Ministry of Education where we will register our anger  against an insensitive government.

 "They just went to China to secure a loan of $1.1bn.  Why is it difficult for the Federal Government to raise N92bn to solve the problem in our  education sector? Education is the bedrock of every development;  it is the bedrock of any nation. It is shameful that the Federal Government is showing this lackadaisical attitude  towards the next generation.

"If the Federal Government is serious, there is something in the parliament that is called virement. There are lots of contracts that have been budgeted for in this dispensation that they have not even started  this month.

"All the Federal Government needed to do is for the President to write the National Assembly and seek for a virement or even take a loan. They can spend money on frivolities, they can spend money on very many unreasonable things. But the Federal Government cannot source for N92bn. Above all,  the Federal Government has shown that is is not a responsible government."

Also the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, on Thursday advocated for sustainable peace in Nigeria and its universities.

According to him, sustainable peace is very crucial to the  realisation of Nigeria's scientific, technological and socio-economic  needs.

"Without peace, there won't be any chance for development, and this will be disastrous for Nigeria and the world,'' the Sultan said.

He also said that peace in the universities and other institutions would impact positively on the training of quality manpower for the nation.

"If this is not ensured, the opposite will be the case and the county would continue to lag behind,''the monarch added.

Source: Punch

Dressing Like C-Ronaldo Will cost you awful more, As Bale's outfit worth £902 While Ronaldo's oufit worths £12,192 on their First Meeting

How to get the Galactico look... but dressing like Ronaldo will cost you an awful lot more

Real Madrid's two biggest stars came face-to-face on Wednesday and it wasn't just their football talent which was being compared.
The car park became a designers' paradise, with Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and more shown off by the pair as they strolled in for training.
Gareth Bale may have won the price-tag battle, coming in at £86million compared with Cristiano Ronaldo's £80m, but he's still left in the shade by the Portuguese ace when it comes to fashion.

The money men: Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo wearing all sorts of designer clothes

Frightening double act: Bale and Ronaldo met for the first time at Real training on Wednesday

Team-mates reunited: Gareth Bale with Luka Modric at Real Madrid training on Thursday

Man in charge: Bale speaking to his new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti

Deadly duo: Bale doing some stretching in front of Ronaldo

Current king: Ronaldo was also on the training ground in Madrid

Two left feet? Bale's Dolce & Gabbana jeans prove his legs aren't priceless, but they're getting close

Get the Bale look

1.  Dolce & Gabbana T-shirt - £122
Bale has gone for the T-shirt look compared to Ronaldo's more formal attire, but possibly only those two could afford the whopping price-tag of Dolce & Gabbana.
2.  Louis Vuitton washbag - £420
Every professional footballer worth his weight has to have a luxury washbag in one arm as they walk into the training ground. They just look wrong without it. Conditioner, hair gel and aftershave are a must.
3.  Dolce & Gabbana jeans - £355
The battle between the star pair continues below the belt with Bale choosing a grey shade to match his hoodie. He does beat Ronaldo on price, that is if spending more is the object.
4.  Carrier bag (5p in Wales)
From October 2011, all plastic bags in Wales carry a 5p charge to try and reduce amount used. It seems to have worked, as Bale has taken his all the way from the UK to Madrid.
5.  Hoodie brand - unknown
On this front Bale has gone for the slightly maverick look. Having come from Cardiff, he will take time to adapt to the heat of Spain where jumpers aren't necessary.
Total = £902

Upper hand: Gareth Bale's £420 Louis Vuitton washbag blows Ronaldo's £265 Gucci out of the water

Timeless: Ronaldo has the advantage of modelling for Jacob and Co

Get the Ronaldo look

1.  Chrome Heart Sunglasses - £552
Ronaldo is rarely seen without sunglasses when off the field and sometimes looks like he could happily play with them on, too. Theses aren't your bog-standard Specsavers pair, however. He could have bought 552 Chelseas back in 1982 with this money.
2.  Gucci washbag - £265
When it comes to his toiletries, Ronaldo has gone for the cheap-skate look. Only £265. That's barely a bottle of shower gel compared to Bale's £420.

3.  Dolce & Gabbana belt - £450
He may shirk the high prices when it comes to washbags, but not on belts. Ronaldo proudly shows off his £450 Dolce and Gabbana whereas Bale can just stand and admire.
4.  Jacob and Co watch - £10,600
Ronaldo models for Jacob and Co, proudly showing off his orange watch-face on their website. He's not known for ever being late, although that may have more to do with his Ferrari collection.
5.  DSquared jeans - £325
Again coming in at slightly less than Bale, Ronaldo was wearing the traditional blue coloured jeans, tatty by design, but smart enough to be taken seriously. Expect Bale to ditch the grey within the coming weeks.
6.  Shirt brand - unknown
Rolling up the sleeves in a casual way (yet they are perfectly symmetrical), Ronaldo appears laid back and stylish at the same time. The 'modern man' look.
Total = £12,192  (£1,592 without the watch)

Shade: £552 is a lot to pay to keep the sun out of your eyes, but Chrome Heart Sunglasses make it worth it

Different white shirt: Bale warming up with a plaster on his knee

Post-Mourinho Portuguese contingent: Ronaldo with team-mate Pepe

New surroundings: Bale was out in Madrid on the first evening after training

Clean living: Bale leaving his hotel in Madrid for training on Thursday, still holding his washbag