NGOLO KANTE HAS NO URGE TO LEAVE CHELSEA DESPITE 'PSG CONTACT'.

N’Golo Kante says he has “no urge” to leave Chelsea following World Cup success with France, despite admitting that Paris Saint-Germain made contact with him during the summer transfer window. 

Kante, who capped a remarkable two years in the summer by adding the World Cup to the domestic titles he won with Leicester City in 2016 and the Blues in 2017.

Such form saw him become a top target for PSG, with Chelsea having offered him a bumper five-year deal to stay at Stamford Bridge. Kante’s stock has rocketed since moving to England from Ligue 1 side Caen in 2015, playing a starring role as the Foxes defied the odds to win an unlikely Premier League title before breaking into the France team in time for the European Championship finals and becoming the first outfield player to win successive English titles for different clubs since Eric Cantona in 1992-93. But the France international, who has become a lynchpin in coach Didier Deschamps’ midfield, is not ooking for a move. 

“There was no urge to go elsewhere after the World Cup,” he said in an interview with RMC Sport.

“There were other clubs interests but after talking to Chelsea, things were clear. The club is counting on me and I feel good. The next logical step was to continue to Chelsea.

“There were some contacts [from PSG]. But after a discussion with Chelsea I realised that the main thing was to feel good where I was. I am at Chelsea. It’s good for me to stay at Chelsea.”

French champions PSG had hoped to lure Kante to Parc de Princes to help spearhead their assault on the Champions League, but it now looks as though they will have to turn their attentions elsewhere as the France star has committed himself to remaining in London.

Chelsea face Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday as Maurizio Sarri’s side look to make it five wins from their opening five games of the campaign.

2019- SARAKI CONTINUES NATIONWIDE CONSULTATION WITH VISIT TO EKITI

The Senate President and a Presidential Aspirant, Bukola Saraki has asked Nigerians to place competence above sentiments when choosing a President in the 2019 elections.

He stated this on Saturday when he visited the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.

Saraki who is vying for the position under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited the state to meet with stakeholders ahead of the Presidential Primaries holding on October 5 and 6, 2018.

He said that Nigeria needs a President who belongs to all and is vast in the knowledge of the economy.

Governor Fayose in his response vowed to condemn any primary that is perceived not to be free and fair.

NYSC CERTIFICATE SCANDAL -PDP SEEKS ADEOSUN'S ARREST AND PROSECUTION

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, for deserting and forging her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Exemption Certificate.

The party, in a statement issued Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the party was also aware of plots by the federal government to secretly move her out of the country.

The opposition party said its investigations revealed that the federal government, which earlier made efforts to defend Adeosun, has already perfected a plot to help her to evade prosecution following fears that she could open up on the humongous corruption going on in the financial sector under the Buhari administration.

The PDP insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held responsible for all infractions in the finance ministry under Adeosun, as he appointed and retained her despite having information on the certificate forgery; a situation that confirms the decadence and lack of due diligence in the Buhari presidency.

The opposition party said it was also aware that President Buhari was not by any measure prepared to drop her from his cabinet but for the demand by those responsible for her appointment, who protested her continued stay in office, although for their own selfish gains.

Ologbondiyan noted: “Nigerians already know that the Buhari presidency is a citadel of iniquity with inherent proficiency in stealing, forgery and manipulation of processes. This perhaps explains why President Buhari has not relieved his Special Assistant on Prosecution and Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel for the Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, of his appointment in spite of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) confirmation that he forged his Secondary School Certificate.”

“Is it not clear to all that the Buhari administration’s so-called anti-corruption war and purported integrity are mere orchestrations to hoodwink Nigerians and the international community, while Mr. President oversees the most corrupt administration in the history of our nation?

“The party invites Nigerians to note that President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration has become notorious for shielding its many fraudulent and corrupt officials, could not summon the rectitude to sack Mrs. Adeosun. She would have still been in office, if not for the sustained uproar by Nigerians and international creditors.

“The PDP therefore demands an immediate open inquest into the records of the Finance Ministry under Adeosun, to unravel all improprieties by the Buhari Presidency cabal, including alleged diversion of oil proceeds, fraudulent oil subsidy deals, leading to high fuel price; depletion of our foreign reserves, embezzling of funds returned by Switzerland and other huge sleazes in the ministry.”

#ADEOSUNGATE- HOW I GOT MY NYSC CERTIFICATE -ADEOSUN SPEAKS

Nigeria’s immediate past finance minister Kemi Adeosun has explained how she got a National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate believed to be fake.

Adeosun resigned her appointment on Friday, 69 days after an online medium published a report that her NYSC certificate was not issued by the Corps.

She has since been replaced by Zainab Ahmed, who until Friday was a junior minister in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

“As someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th September 2018,” Adeosun said in her resignation sent to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.

Adeosun, born and raised in the United Kingdom, explained that her ‘trusted associates’ got her the now questionable document because she was not “familiar with their [NYSC] operations.”

“Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve,” Adeosun said in the letter.

“Until recent events, that remained my understanding.”

The former minister said on the basis of the advice, guidance and assistance of those she thought were credible people, “NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question.”

She said, “having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine.

“Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening.”

With her admission to receiving the certificate from the unnamed persons, it is unclear if the Nigerian government will prosecute the minister in line with the provisions of the NYSC Act.

Section 13 (4) of the Act states that: Any person who (a) in giving any information for the purposes of this Act knowingly or recklessly makes a statement which is false; or (b) forges or uses or lends to or allows to be used other than in the manner provided by this Act by any other person any certificate issued pursuant to the provisions of this Act; or (c) makes, or has in his possession any document so closely resembling any certificate so issued as to be calculated to deceive, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N5,000 or to imprisonment for a term of three years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

A source told newsmen in August that President Buhari may ‘pardon’ the minister as a reward for “the great works she has done for government — bailing out the country from recession and stabilizing the economy.”

ALLEGED CERTIFICATE FORGERY - CACOL ASKS OBONO-OBLA TO RESIGN

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Prosecutions, Okoi Obonlo-Obla, to resign with immediate effect.

This call came following the resignation of Minister of Finance, Kami Adeosun, over her NYSC certificate forgery scandal.

CACOL had earlier called on the Minister to resign her appointment.

The Centre said that Obla’s position was even less acceptable given the fact that it pertained to the forgery of a school certificate result.

The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Comrade Debo Adeniran made the call in a statement yesterday.

The statement added, “We could as well say that Adeosun has completed her course, only that she didn’t do the mandatory one year service.

“But for Obono-Obola, that is even worse, that means that he doesn’t have the technical capability to carry out the duties he is carrying on.

“So, he should be made to resign,” he said

EPL- LIVERPOOL MAINTAIN PERFECT START TO SEASON WITH NERVY WIN IVER SPURS

Jurgen Klopp stood with his arms above his head clapping his Liverpool players shortly after the half-time break at Wembley. His team were only a goal up at the time, but there was a sense the manager was already aware they were in the process of laying down a marker.

A fifth successive Premier League victory was duly completed, as Roberto Firmino added a second to Georginio Wijnaldum’s first-half opener, and Liverpool had offered proof that, this season, they can be the real deal.

These are early days, of course, but this was a striking victory in a stadium in which Liverpool were beaten 4-1 last season. That was the worst defeat of their four away from home against their rivals – Spurs, Manchester City, United and Chelsea.

This season’s title race could effectively be decided by which team comes out best of the head-to-head battles between the big six and Klopp’s team are making the early running.

Such was their superiority, Liverpool could and should have won by three or four and 

there was a late wobble when substitute Erik Lamela netted in stoppage time. But it will be a source of comfort to Klopp that his players can still become even better, even more clinical.

The visitors may count themselves unfortunate that they were not awarded the lead inside the first minute, as Firmino flicked in James Milner’s cross, but Sadio Mane had been in an offside position and initially celebrated as through he had scored.

Referee Michael Olivier ruled the goal out on the advice of his assistant, but the officials could not save Tottenham, who were too often the makers of their own downfall.

A stray Eric Dier pass let in Mohamed Salah, but Michel Vorm saved the forward’s shot 

and the Dutchman prevented Sadio Mane from scoring after a loose ball from Mousa Dembele had gifted Liverpool possession.

But it was Vorm who was at fault, as Liverpool deservedly took the lead six minutes before half-time. Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper misjudged his punch from Milner’s corner and Dier could only head out as far as Wijnaldum, who managed to loop his header back over Vorm and the ball crossed the line before it was clawed out of the net.

Vorm claws back Wijnaldum's header but only after it had crossed the line CREDIT: IAN KINGTON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Wijnaldum could have doubled his and Liverpool’s lead moments later, but dragged a low shot badly wide and the only encouragement for Spurs will have been that they were just a single goal behind as they went in at the break.

It was the move that resulted in Andy Robertson’s cross dropping on to the top of the bar two minutes into the second half that had Klopp applauding his team and 

Liverpool suffered their biggest let off moments later before effectively wrapping up another three points.

Lucas Moura, who was Tottenham’s most dangerous player, brilliantly took down a Christian Eriksen pass and cut in past Joe Gomez, but the Brazilian’s low shot clipped the outside of the post.

It was the only time Gomez was beaten all afternoon, as he produced another imperious display next to Virgil van Dijk, whose £75 million price tag looks better value for money with each passing week.

Four minutes after Moura’s miss, it was game over for Mauricio Pochettino’s team, as a high ball caught out Kieran Trippier, Mane got away down the left and his cross was turned against his own post by Jan Vertonghen. But Firmino was quickest to react and turned the ball in.

It was at the end of September last year when champions Manchester City proved how serious they were by winning at Chelsea and this felt like a similarly significant moment for the Reds.

It should have got even worse for Spurs when Mane, Naby Keita and Salah found themselves three on three against the home defence. But Mane was indecisive with his pass and eventually played the ball to Keita, who produced a poor shot that was saved.

There were an unnecessarily nervy couple of minutes for Liverpool in stoppage time as Lamela pulled a goal back and fellow substitute Heung-Min Son fired wide. Son appealed that he had been fouled by Mane before missing the target, but, other than the final 90 seconds, Klopp’s players fully deserved his applause.

This was Tottenham’s second successive defeat since beating Manchester United 3-0, ahead of a Champions League trip to Inter Milan, and there remain some worrying signs.

The fact his team yet again conceded a goal from a set play will have angered Pochettino and striker Harry Kane did little to dispel the theory that he is running on empty.

Dele Alli should at least return from injury in time to face Inter, but Tottenham will need to be much sharper, more decisive and better in possession in Italy.

“It’s a collective problem and I won’t point the finger at one player,” said Pochettino. “Look, I told you the challenge is massive this season. Yes we need to give time to the players to get the best and to show our potential as a team. When you win you are happy but you are happy because of the result.

“But I was never so happy. I was thinking to make the team better because we knew this situation would happen because the line is so thin when you win or when you lose. The team need to work more and we need to show more consistency.

“We need to improve a lot, I told you after Newcastle, Fulham, Old Trafford, Watford and today the reality is the reality, we need to improve a lot. This game showed again that we need to improve if we want to be contenders in the end to win some titles.”

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CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS TRUCK LOAD OF MILITARY UNIFORMS IN IMO

The Federal Operations Unit (Zone C) of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a truck carrying bales of military wears in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The controller FOU, Kayode Olusemire, told journalists that the uniforms were concealed in a truck loaded with household wares around the Onitsha Head Bridge in, Anambra state.

According to him, cartons of pharmaceutical drugs containing cough syrups with codeine, diazepam, tramadol injection and tablets recently banned by the Federal Government were also confiscated.

Olusemire explained that the seizure was made possible following intelligence reports and the two suspects arrested in connection with the truck are already helping the agency with valid information.

The customs boss also warned smugglers and those trading on contraband goods to desist from such activities as the NCS under the leadership of Colonel Hammed Alli is determined to rid the nation of contraband and illegally imported goods.