ICYMI- DEADLINEDAY REVIEW- DAVID LUIZ RE-SIGNS FOR CHELSEA ON A THREE YEAR DEAL

Chelsea re-signed David Luiz from Paris St-Germain for a fee believed to be in the region of £30m.

Luiz passed his medical and completed his return to Stamford Bridge five minutes before the summer transfer window was due to close.

Luiz arrived in London at St Pancras train station ahead of his proposed move and eventually completed terms on a three-year contract.

Luiz said: "I'm delighted to return to Chelsea. We had a fantastic story during my first time at the club and I want to help the team and Antonio Conte achieve a lot of success."I always had a wonderful relationship with the fans and I am looking forward to wearing the blue shirt at Stamford Bridge once again."PSG had previously turned down approaches from Chelsea for both Luiz and his Brazilian team-mate Marquinhos, telling them that neither defender was for sale.

The 29-year-old Brazilian left Stamford Bridge for France two years ago for £50m, which remains a world record fee for a defender.

Chelsea first purchased Luiz in January 2011 from Benfica for £21m.

In his three-year stay in west London, Luiz made 143 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.

OPRAH CLAIMS SHE HAS LOST SO MUCH WEIGHT "THAT STEDMAN CAN CARRY ME AND TAKE ME TO THE POOL"

Oprah Winfrey has a special job in mind for her longtime beau Stedman Graham.

Nearly a year after she became the spokesperson and a shareholder in Weight Watchers, Winfrey is loving her slender frame. But what does the mogul’s fit figure mean for Graham?

“I would like him to pick me up and carry me to the pool,” she joked to PEOPLE Monday at the premiere of OWN’s new original drama series Queen Sugar. “I’ve lost enough weight, he can pick me up and carry me to the pool. I can straddle him without breaking his back.”

Winfrey, 62, has yet to reveal her total weight loss, but she said in January that she had lost 26 lbs. And in May, the TV mogul said Weight Watchers has been a true lifestyle change.
“I don’t feel like I’m on a diet that I’m ever going to go off again,” she said. “I feel like I’ll be counting points for the rest of my life.”

Winfrey stunned at Monday’s event in a dark, form-fitting dress with elbow-length sleeves. She wore her hair in a slick ponytail and topped off the look with black heels.

Winfrey was all smiles on the red carpet as she posed for photos with Ava DuVernay, the show’s co-creator.

“I’m partnering with somebody who is not only this incredible talent for our time, Ava DuVernay, [but] you’re going to see her rise and rise and rise,” she said at the event. “Her future’s so bright it is burning our eyes already.”

LUCY LIU GUSHES ON THE JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD FOLLOWING GESTATIONAL SURROGACY

Lucy Liu welcomed son Rockwell Lloyd via gestational surrogacy in 2015 and now reveals how motherhood has changed her life for the better.

“The priorities shift,” the 47-year-old actress told The Insider With Yahoo as she celebrated 100 episodes of her CBS show Elementary. “Everything becomes really magical and fresh and quite funny. Like, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much as I have in this year in my life. Because everything is just ridiculously hilarious. It’s great.”

And the proud mama couldn’t help but gush over her baby boy. “He’s incredibly curious and he’s also very smart,” she said.

On Saturday, Lucy celebrated her little one’s first birthday with a sweet photo on Instagram. “Happy 1st birthday to my little love Rockwell,” she captioned the black-and-white pic of her son at the Bronx Zoo. “This has been the most incredible year of new adventures and endless fun.” Lucy also dished on the possibility of rebooting Ally McBeal and Charlie’s Angels. Check out the video to find out what she said, and tune in to The Insider With Yahoo tonight for more from our sit-down with the cast of Elementary.

CHRIS BROWN ADMITTED TO $250,000 BAIL

Chris Brown was booked and released on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday, after former Miss California contestant Baylee Curran claimed the singer threatened her with a gun at his home in Tarzana, California on Monday night.

Brown was arrested just before 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday after police procured a search warrant for his home. He was interview at the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division before being booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center and released just after 11 p.m. after posting $250,000 bail.

"Thanks to everyone for their support and well wishes. Chris is out and well," Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, tweeted. "The allegations against him are demonstrably false #TeamBreezy."

 

Brown, who claims he was asleep while the alleged incident happened, took to Instagram before his arrest on Tuesday to reject the woman's claims and deny any wrongdoing in a series of videos.

"So, I'm asleep half the damn night, I just wake up, all these mother**king helicopter choppers are around," he says in the first video. "The police out there, at the gate. Come on, what the f**k else do y'all want from me, bro? I stay out of the way, take care of my daughter. Do work."

"I'm way too tired to be dealing with this bulls**t," he continues. "Every three months y'all come up with something, bro. What is it? What's gonna be next? … I'm innocent, f**k everybody. I'm tired of hearing this s**t."

GABBY DOUGLAS ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL REMOVAL OF PAINFUL CYST FROM HER MOUTH

 

Gabby Douglas is on the road to recovery.

On Tuesday, the Olympic gold medalist revealed the diagnosis that caused her to miss Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards with her Final Five teammates.

"Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that I'm doing ok! I had a complication from a prior injury that caused a cyst to grow on a bone in my mouth," Douglas, 20, posted on Twitter. "Got it removed and feeling much better now! Thanks for all your concerns and prayers and HUGE thank you to the doctors that have taken care of me these last four days!"
Unfortunately for Gabby, she must remove her wisdom teeth next.

 

The gymnast first announced her medical condition on social media Sunday, revealing that she was out of the hospital and resting in New York City. However, Douglas' publicist told PEOPLE that she was returned to hospital again that same night for a serious infection.

"Gabby is back in the hospital tonight being treated for a seriously infected past mouth injury," Douglas' publicist told PEOPLE. "She continues to have deep swelling and adverse reactions to medications." 

"TAKE AS MANY SHOTS AT ME AS YOU WANT"- NICK CANNON DEFLECTS DIVORCE JIBES ON "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT"

Ouch! Nick Cannon got served by 13-year-old comedian Lori Mae Hernandez on Tuesday night’s episode of America’s Got Talent. The stand-up star poked fun at the show’s host, saying, “I just outgrew Barbies like Mariah did Nick.”

When ET’s Denny Directo caught up with Cannon after the show, he had nothing but kind words for the contestant.

“I’m kind of used to that type of humor on my other show, but it was all in fun man. She’s outstanding. She’s hilarious,” he told ET. “When you can show that you don’t take yourself so seriously, I think that’s what people love and embrace. I was like, 'Take as many shots at me as you want.’”

But does he give his ex, Mariah Carey, a heads up when her name is mentioned publicly in relation to his?

“Sometimes you do [have to give her a heads up], man, and she thinks I’m the one that put people up to that stuff. I get myself in enough trouble!” he said. “But she has fun with it too. She knows that, you know, there’s no hard feelings and it’s all love so when people joke and I make jokes, it’s just all in jest.”

Carey and Cannon separated in August 2015, and she has since moved on with fiancé James Packer. Cannon is also moving forward, focusing on his latest role, as a college freshman at Howard University. But will the Drumline star be hitting up any frat parties?

“I’m gonna try to limit the extracurricular activities,” he told ET. “I’ve got companies and stuff I gotta run, but I’m definitely gonna partake. I gotta get the full experience.”

For more on Cannon’s college life, watch the video below!

EX MEXICAN PRESIDENT, VICENTE FOX RIPS INTO DONALD TRUMP AHEAD OF MEXICO VISIT

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox didn’t hold back on Wednesday when asked on CNN about Donald Trump’s surprise visit to Mexico later in the day.

“He is not welcome to Mexico. By 130 million people, we don’t like him. We don’t want him. We reject his message,” Fox said on “New Day.”

He added that Trump’s trip is “nothing more than a political stunt” and that the GOP is using Mexico … to boost his sinking poll numbers.”

Fox is a fierce critic of Trump, who launched his campaign last summer with a speech in which he accused the Mexican government of sending rapists and other criminals across the U.S. border. ( Below is a screenshot of his interview with CNN)

A core part of Trump’s platform has been the construction of a massive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, which he has vowed to make Mexico pay for. Earlier this year, Fox memorably declared that he wouldn’t “pay for that f***ing wall.” Trump replied to Fox’s profanity by repeatedly telling supporters that “the wall just got 10 feet higher.”

Trump suddenly announced the Mexico trip Tuesday night, and the visit will occur just hours before the mogul gives a major address on immigration policy in Phoenix.

During his Wednesday CNN interview, Fox was also very critical of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto. He said Trump’s meeting with the Mexican leader was a “desperate move on both sides.”

“I think the president, Peña, is taking an enormous political risk by hosting Trump. If he’s considered as going soft on Trump, it will hurt him greatly. He will even be considered like a traitor,” Fox said.

“I don’t understand what’s going on here,” he later added. “And I really apologize for our president taking this step forward.”

EDO MONARCH PLACES CURSE ON ANYONE VOTING AGAINST APC GUBER CANDIDATE

Ahead of the September 10 governorship election in Edo state, the Iyase of Udo Kingdom in the state, Patrick Igbinidu, has placed what seems like a curse on his subjects who votes against the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in the election billed to hold next week.

The monarch placed this curse yesterday when he received Obaseki and members of his campaign team at the palace, in Udo, near Benin, in Ovia South West local government area of Benin.

This calls to mind the widely-reported threat by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu in April last year, that Lagos residents of Igbo descent who failed to vote for the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, in the Lagos election, risk drowning in the lagoon.

Toeing the same path yesterday, the Edo monarch said, “The ancestors of the land await those who will vote against the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

“You all have seen it; this is who the Udo people should support, who said he won’t vote for him, he should wait for the ancestors. The entire Udo kingdom should vote for him and anyone who gives his votes to another person is on his own.

“You all should support him because he is the person who Oshiomhole, our benefactor, have chosen to succeed him.”

Igbinidu explained that his position stems from the development strides of the incumbent Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, particularly as regards the dualisation of the road leading to the kingdom, Siloko road.

BOKO HARAM READY FOR TRUCE, READY TO ANNOUNCE CHIBOK GIRLS' WHEREABOUTS- AISHA WAKIL

One of the trio declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for concealing information on the whereabouts of the Chibok girls, Aisha Alkali Wakil, has revealed that the Boko Haram terrorist group is now ready for peace.

According to her, the group may make a big announcement about the kidnapped Chibok school girls within the next 24 hours.

The lawyer with the National Human Rights Commission told the Nation that, “Since I came back, I have been on their neck.

“They have now agreed to come out and discuss with the government and bring back the girls.

“I am for the Chibok girls and all the captives. They are ready for peace. This is what they told me.

“I think they might post some information on YouTube within 24 hours,” Aisha stated.

This is coming barely one week after President Muhammadu Buhari said his government was ready to negotiate with genuine Boko Haram leaders  to release the missing school girls.

ETHNIC APPOINTMENTS REASON FOR NIGERIA UNDER PERFORMING- OSINBAJO

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has explained why Nigerian governments underperforms.

Speaking in Delta State, the Vice President explained that ethnic consideration in appointments into public offices was one of the major reasons governments fail to deliver on their promises.

He,however, assured Nigerians that the Muhammadu Buhari administration was working hard to stem the tide.

According to Osinbajo, “Government must stand for something, some high values, there must be a moral platform.”

“Western liberal democracy upheld the ideas of merit, hard-work and sometimes that would be described as a puritanical work ethic and it’s my view that our own elite, political elite, religious elite and business elite must have some consensus on the important of values in our society.

“Let’s just take an example of those values, let’s just take merit as an example. If our choice is based on merit, it ensures it can guarantee the best performance.

“However, it appears that in matters concerning government and governance and the matters of even allocation of public resources, we prioritize ethnicity or even religion and political affiliation over merit.

“Merit always comes last in our considerations, this is why we underperform, and why we cannot perform well in matters of government and in the allocation of public resources.”

GIWA FC V LMC- JOS HIGH COURT SUSPENDS NPFL INDEFINITELY, ADJOURNS CASE SINE DIE

The Nigerian Professional Football League has been suspended indefinitely until the League Management Company fully complies with the earlier order of reinstating Giwa FC back to the league.

Justice I. I Kunda in his ruling delivered at the Plateau State High Court which sat in Bukuru, Jos, Wednesday, 31st August, 2016, decried the delay tactics being employed by the Counsel to the LMC, Olumide Olujimi, to delay the case knowing fully well that the Nigerian league is time bound, and the league would have effectively ended before the case is determined.

The judge declared the case adjourned sine die but also told the defendants that they can proceed with their appeal at the Appeal Court if they so wish.

It would be recalled that sequel to the expulsion of Giwa Football Club of Jos, a High Court sitting in Bukuru, Jos, Plateau State, on the 13th August 2016, granted the prayers of the Club seeking it’s reinstatement to the Nigerian Professional Football League.

Counsel to Giwa FC, SD Ekara, had tabled five prayers before the Court.

The five prayers are; “That the NFF and LMC be restrained from further organizing any matches pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

“Interlocutory injunction compelling the LMC to reschedule all matches Giwa FC did not play as a result of the purported expulsion.

“Injunction recalling all Giwa FC players summarily released and signed by other clubs.

“Restoration of Giwa FC to the league pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

“Such other pronouncements as the court may deem fit”.

In a judgement delivered by vacation judge, Justice I.I. Kunda, yesterday, the League Management Company and the Nigerian Football Federation were restrained from stopping Giwa Football Club from playing matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The Judge also ordered the first and second respondents to reschedule all the matches that Giwa FC failed to play as a result of its purported expulsion from the league.

The LMC was also ordered to immediately return all the players of Giwa FC that were summarily released and signed by other clubs.

Credit- Daily Post

TEENAGER REPORTEDLY MURDERS SUGAR MUMMY OVER INFIDELITY AND HANGS SELF IN ZIMBABWE

A 17-year-old Zimbabwean boy, Chinhengo Timothy has reportedly killed himself after he found out that his 37-year-old sugar mummy was cheating on him.

Chinhengo committed suicide in police cell after he was arrested for stabbing his older lover, Patricia Chiweshe, to death, H-metro reports.

According to the report, Timothy, from Landa’s business centre in Chihota trailed his lover and saw her coming from a toilet in the company of a man, at the weekend, when he approached them and stabbed his lover several times.

The Police spokesperson, Siphiwe Makonese, who confirmed the report, was quoted to have said Timothy was arrested afterwards and hung himself at Mahusekwa police station in a cell using a strap from the blanket cell.

Timothy’s aunt, Sarah Mhondiw, speaking on the incident, recounted how she tried to stop him from dating the cougar but he was said to have been adamant.

Mhondiw said, “I really don’t know how to explain the story as I’m in shock. Timothy met Patricia at some bar, Patricia was said to be a prostitute at the time.
They started co-habiting despite our protests.

“The matter was reported to the chief and both were lashed. We even approached the police who said they could not intervene.

“I visited him while he was in police custody. He told me that he attacked Patricia because she was cheating on him with a guard who works at a bar somewhere at Landas shopping center. He said he had heard rumors and he finally saw it for himself. Patricia told him to mind his own business. He did not manage to tell me the rest of the story because we were told that visiting time was over.

“Later that day when we wanted to give him food the police told us that he had committed suicide.

“Timothy would confide in me all the time, he used to say that his wife drives him to drink often and that he cannot even pray anymore. He believed that Patricia had used juju on him,” Mhondiw sobbed.

DEADLINE DAY- SUNDERLAND COMPLETE CLUB RECORD SIGNING OF LORIENT MIDFIELDER, DIDIER NDONG

Sunderland have broken their transfer record by signing Lorient midfielder Didier Ndong for a fee £13.6m on a five-year contract.

Norwich duo John Ruddy and Steven Naismith could be next through the door, with Yann M'Vila potentially returning to the Stadium of Light. 

Gabon international Ndong, 22, has completed his medical in the north-east and his transfer beats the previous record of £13m - for Asamoah Gyan six years ago.

Ndong said: "I am very proud and happy to sign for Sunderland. This is a new adventure for me and to play in the Premier League is a dream come true.

"Maybe the Sunderland fans don't know me yet, but I promise that they will quickly discover that I will give everything for them and the club. It will be an honour to wear the Sunderland shirt and I will wear it with a true understanding of what it means."

Sunderland need a new goalkeeper following an injury to Vito Mannone, who is out of action for three months.

Moyes tried to lure Joe Hart from Manchester City, but the England goalkeeper has instead chosen to go to Torino.

So Moyes has turned instead to Ruddy, 29, himself a former England goalkeeper.

The 6'4" Ruddy has been out for a couple of weeks with a groin strain but should be available by the end of the international break.

Sky sources understand Moyes is stepping up his interest Canaries striker Naismith, who played under him at Everton. Naismith is currently in Glasgow with the Scotland squad.

Moyes had been interested in signing Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez but he will remain at St Mary's.

DEADLINEDAY LIVE!- DAVID LUIZ FLIES TO LONDON TO UNDERGO CHELSEA TO COMPLETE SENSATIONAL RETURN

Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz is set to undergo a medical ahead of a shock return to Chelsea.

Luiz will have the medical in London at around 6pm this evening, with the club continuing to negotiate a fee.

 

 PSG - who bought him from the Blues for £50m - do not want to make a £20m loss on the player.

While the clubs continue to thrash out a deal, Luiz has flown to London and will have his medical. 

The 29-year-old Brazilian left Stamford Bridge for France two years ago for what remains a world record fee for a defender and it is understood he is keen to return to the club. 

New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made it clear a centre-back was top of his priority list with moves for Alessio Romagnoli at AC Milan and Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli falling through so far.

Sky in Italy reported last week that Chelsea's £30m bid for Romagnoli was rejected, and that there was a "90 per cent" chance of Koulibaly not moving to Conte's team.

Chelsea first purchased Luiz in January 2011 from Benfica for £21m.

In his three-year stay in west London, Luiz made 143 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.

AERO CONTRACTORS SUSPENDS OPERATIONS FROM THURSDAY, 1ST SEPTEMBER, 2016

Aero Contractors Airlines(Nigeria’s Second largest commercial carrier), has suspended its scheduled services beginning from Thursday 1st September, 2016. A statement released by management today stated that the airline had faced grave challenges in the past six months which impacted its business and scheduled services operations.

The suspension of their scheduled services was part of a strategic business realignment to re-position the airline and return it to profitability. Part of the statement read:

“The impact of the external environment has been very harsh on our operational performance, hence management decision to suspend scheduled services operations indefinitely effective September 1, 2016, pending when the external opportunities and a robust sustainable and viable plan is in place for Aero Contractors to recommence its scheduled services.

The implication of the suspension of scheduled services operations extends to all staffs directly and indirectly involved in providing services as they are effectively to proceed on indefinite leave of absence during the period of non-services.

We are aware of the impact this will have on our staff and our highly esteemed customers, hence we have initiated moves to ensure that we are able to return back to operations within the shortest possible time, offering reliable, safe and secure operations, which the airline is known for.”

DEADLINEDAY LIVE!- DAVID LUIZ FEE DELAYING CHELSEA RETURN- SKY SOURCES

 

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are continuing negotiations over the transfer of David Luiz - but the clubs remain "some way apart" on a fee, according to Sky sources.

Chelsea have made a bid of £30m to bring the Brazilian defender back to Stamford Bridge, but PSG - who bought him from the Blues for £50m - do not want to make a £20m loss on the player.

The 29-year-old Brazilian left Stamford Bridge for France two years ago for what remains a world record fee for a defender and it is understood he is keen to return to the club. 

New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made it clear a centre-back was top of his priority list with moves for Alessio Romagnoli at AC Milan and Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli falling through so far.

Sky in Italy reported last week that Chelsea's £30m bid for Romagnoli was rejected, and that there was a "90 per cent" chance of Koulibaly not moving to Conte's team.

Chelsea first purchased Luiz in January 2011 from Benfica for £21m.

In his three-year stay in west London, Luiz made 143 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.

DEADLINEDAY LIVE!- JOE HART JOINS TORINO ON LOAN

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has joined Serie-A Torino on a season-long loan deal.

Hart, 29, lost his place to Willy Caballero at the start of the season and new coach Pep Guardiola's decision to sign Claudio Bravo from Barcelona effectively relegated the England international to third choice.

 Sunderland - who have lost injured first-choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone for three months - were prepared to pay a large slice of his wages but Manchester City agreed to Hart's preference to move to Italy.

Hart told Torino's website: "Suddenly, my career has taken an important turn…Torino's offer came in the right moment, in the right manner. I am very excited to test myself in an important and beautiful league such as Serie A. 

 

"The history of goalkeepers in Italy is known everywhere. I am sure I will learn in Torino, too. For this reason I accepted President Cairo's proposal.

"I have read an interview about 'Toro': the coach wants humility and ambition. I like that. That's how I want to be."

DEADLINEDAY LIVE!- SAMIR NASRI JOINS SEVILLA ON SEASON LONG LOAN

Samir Nasri has joined Sevilla from Manchester City on a season-long loan.

The France international made just 12 Premier League appearances for Manchester City last season in what was an injury-hit campaign, scoring two goals.

He has completed his medical and will spend the remainder of this season with the La Liga club.

Nasri, who came on as a substitute in Sunday's 3-1 win over West Ham, had been training separately from the City squad after returning from his holiday overweight.

 He is the fourth player to leave City on Deadline Day, with striker Wilfried Bony moving to Stoke City on a season-long loan, Joe Hart making a temporary switch to Torino and centre-half Eliaquim Mangala on the verge of a loan to Valencia.

DEADLINEDAY LIVE!- WILFRED BONY SET TO MOVE TO STOKE CITY

Stoke City are close to finalising the loan of Wilfried Bony.

The Manchester City striker is poised to join for a £2million loan fee with Stoke paying his £120,000-a-week wages. 

Bony, whose move to City never really sparked into life, seemingly spoke about the move earlier this morning on Twitter.

Stoke will pay City a £2m loan fee and will cover all of Bony's £120,000-per-week wages

'It’s a new day and I look forward to a new exciting challenge,' Bony posted on social media.

Bony joined City from Swansea for £28m in January 2015 but never truly established himself at the Etihad Stadium.

The 27-year-old had to make do with playing second fiddle to Sergio Aguero, but when he did get on the pitch he was largely ineffective.

Bony never really established himself at the Etihad and has not featured for them this season

Stoke's move for Bony may signal the end of their interest in signing West Brom forward Saido Berahino this summer. 

Berahino - who jetted off on holiday on Monday - has been desperate to leave The Hawthorns for a substantial period of time, but is now prepared to see out the last year of his contract.

Stoke and Crystal Palace were both interested in signing the 23-year-old, who is already exploring potential free transfers overseas. 

DANGOTE TOMATO TO RESUME PRODUCTION IN DECEMBER

The Dangote Tomato Processing Factory in Kadawa village in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, which closed shop seven months ago, would resume production in December, the Managing Director of the company, Alhaji Abdulkadir Kaita, said.

Kaita made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Tuesday.

He said the company, which commenced production in February 2016, had to stop activities due to the lack of fresh tomatoes.

He, however, added that the company had already started preparations for the recommencement of commercial activities.

He noted: “Our target is to resume production in December 2016 because by then we expect tomato farmers to have produced enough for the company to process.”

The managing director said that the company, which could process 120 tonnes of fresh tomatoes per day, would soon begin recruitment of additional staff.

He said: “We have plan to recruit additional staff who will be deployed to different sections of the company to ensure effective service delivery.”

It would be recalled that the company, which started processing tomatoes into cans and sachet in February 2016 had to close shop due to scarcity of the commodity as most farms in about five states were affected by a pest popularly known as “Tuta Absoluta”, which destroyed the tomato species in the affected states.

The pest destroyed some tomato farms in Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Katsina and Kaduna states.

KELECHI IHEANACHO IS NOW HIGHEST PAID NIGERIAN IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE WITH BUMPER 85K NEW DEAL

Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho, is now the highest-earning Nigerian player in the Premier League, after agreeing a £85,000-per-week deal with the club.

Iheanacho signed a new two-year contract extension to stay at the Etihad until 2021. He admitted his new deal will “change the lives of his family”.

 

The 19-year-old now earns more than Super Eagles captain, Mikel John Obi, who picks up £70,000 a week at Chelsea.

Victor Moses is paid £50,000 a week at Stamford Bridge.

Iheanacho’s new agents negotiated this bumper deal, even though they are still locked in an ownership tussle with the player’s former representatives.

PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS EXCEED THE 1 BILLION POUNDS BARRIER

Premier League clubs have finally smashed the £1billion spending barrier this summer.

Last year, the total amount the teams spent was £870m.

11 clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, West Ham, Southampton, Swansea City, Bournemouth, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Burnley – have all broken their transfer records, but it is Paul Pogba’s world-record £90m move to Old Trafford that stands out.

United’s rivals, Manchester City, also paid £47.5m to Everton for John Stones and bought Leroy Sane for £37m.

It was Arsenal’s £35m deal for Shkodran Mustafi, that took pushed the spending officially past the £1billion mark.

“This is the fourth summer in a row where we have seen record-breaking spending by Premier League clubs,” Dan Jones, partner and head of the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said.

“Buoyed by the prospect of increased revenue from the new broadcast deals, clubs’ gross spending has now passed last year’s record of £870m.”

The clubs have been helped by the decision to release their TV income in July, rather than at the beginning of August.

WHY POLICE PREVENTED BBOG FROM ENTERING PRESIDENTIAL VILLA- POLICE IG

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, says the Nigeria Police Force denied members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group access to the Presidential Villa for security reasons.

The BBOG group had made several attempts to enter the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to press the Federal Government for the release of the over 200 Chibok girls who were abducted in April 2014.

Idris spoke at an event jointly organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to mark the International Day of Missing Persons in Abuja.

The National Technical Committee on the Establishment and Management of Database of missing persons in Nigeria was also present.

Represented by Mr. Mohammed Labo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Idris said the BBOG protesters were stopped from having access to forestall a security breach at the villa.

Idris explained that every Nigerian had a right to see the President, but that it was tidier for the group to send a delegation to see President Muhammadu Buhari rather than a large number of protesters.

The NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, said Aug. 30 was set aside to reflect on the fate of displaced persons across the globe.

Angwe Said that the right of people to security and welfare was the primary responsibility of any government.

“The issue of missing persons and the disappeared is at the heart of the mandate of the commission.

“This is so because the rights of people to security and welfare, which is the primary responsibility of any government presupposes that everyone should live without any fear of abductio, kidnapping or displacement as a result of insecurity or natural disasters,” Angwe said.

He expressed regrets at the lack of an accurate data for missing persons, adding that national efforts at addressing the issues surrounding missing persons were on the front burner.

On his part, the Head of Delegation, ICRC in Nigeria, Mr Karl Mattli, said that his agency had collected 2,353 requests for tracing of missing persons, out of which 315 individuals had been located.

Mattli added that 193, including one Ibrahim Aminu, who was at the event had been reunited with their families.

Mrs Maryam Uwais, Chairperson,National Technical Committee on the Establishment of a Database of Missing Persons, said it was a day governments around the world were reminded of their responsibilities to missing persons.

“This year’s International Day of the Disappeared is significant as it comes at a time when the Federal Government is working toward the establishment of a database for missing persons.

“It will among other things be a platform for family members or friends of missing persons to engage with and document necessary information about their loved ones,” Uwais said.

Uwais stressed the need for forensic testing and data collection capacity to be perfected, and enjoined all Nigerians to register and obtain their National Identity cards.

She also called on all Nigerians to contribute in whatever way they could to ensure that persons unaccounted for where not forgotten.

The International Day of the Disappeared is a day set aside to draw attention to the fate of individuals who are missing as a result different situations.

Uwais’s committee is tasked with the responsibility of establishing the necessary components for the oversight, implementation and management of the database for missing persons in the country.

TRIBUTES POUR IN FROM CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION FOR SLAIN RIVERS LAWYER

More personalities and groups have called on security agencies to ensure they arrest and prosecute those who killed human rights activist, Ken Atsuwete.

The latest is coming from the International Society for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Ojukaye flag Amachree family, the PDP, APC and the Nigerian bar Association NBA.

Chancellor of the International Society for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Omenazu Jackson said the killing of Ken Atsuwete has reminded Nigerians of many such killings in the past that have remained unresolved.

For her part, the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Gloria Ohia, said there is need to allow the police to carry out thorough investigation on the killing of Atsuwete.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Rivers State in its reaction frowned at the spate of re-occurrence of high level of criminality being experienced in parts of the Sate.

State NLC Chairperson, Beatrice Itubo, in a statement called on security agencies in the State to step up measures to curb the various criminalities and also bring perpetrators to book.

In the meantime, President of the Niger Delta Coalition against Violence, Christian Lekia says the murder of Rights Lawyer has opened a dark page for activism in the State.

In the same vein, the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State claimed Atsuwete was murdered because of his involvement in the case of former Chairman of Asari Toru Local Government area Ojukaye Flag-Amachree and his support for the APC.

Deputy State Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Prince Peter Odike said the killing of The Late Lawyer was well planned and executed by those who see him as a threat.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Felix Obuah, described Atsuwete as an energetic human rights lawyer who contributed significantly to the respect of human rights, rule of law, social and criminal justice.

Obuah in a statement by his Special Adviser on media called on the police and other security agencies not to leave any stone unturned in unraveling the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

24 YEAR OLD SECURITY GUARD ARRESTED FOR MOLESTING EMPLOYERS' DAUGHTER

A 24-year-old security guard who sexually molested his employer’s daughter has been arrested and detained by the Lagos State Police Command.

The guard, Ossai Sylvester, assaulted the 10-year-old unnamed girl in the Victoria Island area of the state on Saturday.

Sylvester had also inserted his finger into the private parts of the victim and was sucking her breast before his employer caught him and reported to the police.

He was, however, arrested on Monday by the Victoria Island Police Division.

Confirming the arrest to newsmen on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos, said Sylvester was employed to guard a private apartment on Teslim Elias Close.

“The incident happened at about 11.30pm on Saturday. The guard allegedly lured the girl to a secluded spot in the house and sucked her breast. He also dipped his left finger into her private parts.

“The matter was reported and the suspect has been arrested. The victim has been taken for a medical examination.

“He has confessed to the crime.

“The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed that the case be transferred to the gender unit at the state command headquarters for further investigation.

“He will face the law when investigations are completed,” the PPRO added.

WE WERE VOTED INTO OFFICE TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE- APC

The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday said it was given power by Nigerians to do what is ‘impossible”.

The party, however, said it would try its best to bring the ongoing suffering of Nigerians to an end.

“Yes, we are elected to do the impossible; we will do our best. I just want to plead that people should give us more realistic expectations,” The Punch quoted APC national chairman, south, Segun Oni, as saying on Tuesday.

Mr. Oni said the Nigerian economy was already damaged by the PDP before President Buhari was voted into office, adding that the opposition party was fixated with having a perpetual grip on power.

“The economy was traumatised by a government whose only agenda was to win another round (of elections). Therefore, everything that they could put into trying to win a second round, even bastardising the economy, was done and we are all here,” Mr. Oni, a former governor of Ekiti State, said.

Mr. Oni said Nigerians should be thankful that the APC was voted into office and to turn around the dangerous path the country’s economy had descended to under the PDP government, saying it could have been worse.

“The reality on ground is that, if the previous government were (still) in power by now, Nigeria would have virtually packed up, maybe many of us would have become refugees by now.”

Mr. Oni’s comment came few days after his party’s chairman, John Oyegun, sparred with the PDP over the state of the economy.

Mr. Oyegun slammed the PDP for running commentaries about the state of the economy, saying the party had lost its right to criticise the policies of the federal government.

The PDP pushed back against the attacks, saying the APC ruined Africa’s largest economy within 15 months in office.

The PDP also played up figures about the steady growth in GDP figures and other economic indices to explain an upward mobility Nigerians enjoyed in throughout the 16 years it spent in office after taking over from successivd military governments.

SAM ALLARDYCE CLAIMS OKOCHA IS HIS BEST CAPTAIN EVER

England’s new manager, Sam Allardyce, has picked former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, as the best captain he ever had in his over 20 years as club manager.

Allardyce was in charge at Bolton Wanderers from 1999 to 2007 and brought Okocha to the club in 2002 and made him captain a year later.

Speaking with reporters on the eve of his first match as manager of the Three Lions, Allardyce said, “Jay Jay Okocha. On and off the field he was the captain you looked for”.

 

Okocha had 124 appearances for Bolton from 2002 – 2006, during which the club stabilised in the English Premier League.

Allardyce continued: “In a multi-national side from all over the world he could speak four different languages, communicate very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak quite as good English.

“He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win. He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way.

“Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money.

While picking Okocha as his best, Allardyce has also worked with other captains including the likes of Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan at West Ham and John O’Shea at Sunderland.

ARMED HERDSMEN CAUGHT GRAZING WOULD BE CHARGED WITH TERRORISM- FAYOSE

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has vowed that herdsmen caught grazing with arms or any weapon in Ekiti would now be charged with terrorism.

The governor made the declaration while signing the anti-grazing bill into law on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

“My government took the bill to the House after what happened in Oke-Ako some months ago,” he said.

“The House has passed the bill and I have to assent to it. It becomes a law from today that if you do anything to the contrary you will be punished by the law.

“Any herdsman caught with firearms or any weapon while grazing in Ekiti now will be charged with terrorism.”

Mr. Fayose signed the bill in the presence of traditional rulers in the state and members of the House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Kolawole Oluwawole.

“I solicit your support for this government to succeed,” the governor said. “This is not about party politics and Ekiti should be our primary concern. I’ll continue to call you for this kind of meeting every three months to give accounts of governance.”

Shedding light on the contents of the new law, the Speaker said the state government was already working with local government officials to mark out portions of land for grazing to all local government authorities in the state.

“Grazing activities must be from 7am to 6pm on daily basis,” he said. “The government shall allot certain portion of land to each local governments for grazing.”

He noted that anyone caught leading cattle to graze on portions of land or any farmland not allotted by government would be apprehended and made to face the law.

“Any herdsman caught with firearms and any weapons whatsoever during grazing shall be charged with terrorism,” Mr. Oluwawole.

“Any cattle confiscated shall be taken to government cattle ranch at Erifun in Iworoko community.

“Any farm products destroyed by the activities of any caught herdsman shall be estimated by agricultural officer and the expenses of the estimate shall be borne by the culprit.

“Any herdsman who violates any of these rules shall be imprisoned for six months without option of fine.”