Arsenal agrees to sign Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala from Liverpool

Liverpool Ladies Football Club on Tuesday confirmed the Club had 'accepted a bid from Arsenal' Ladies football club for Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala. The Gunners activated a clause in the Nigerian international’s contract therefore the striker will now discuss personal terms with Pedro Martinez Losa’s coached side but the deal might take some time to complete due to the player having work permit issues.

Lassa fever: Lagos places residents on red alert

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it was doing everything possible to defeat the deadly Lassa fever like it did during the outbreak of Ebola virus, just as it urged residents of the state to be on red alert by embracing personal and environmental hygiene.

The government also advised residents to block all holes in their homes through which rats could gain entrance, and also refrain from eating rat meat as well as any food already contaminated with urine, saliva and faeces of infected rat.

While briefing journalists on the update of the Lassa fever cases in the State, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, confirmed that so far, the state has recorded 20 suspected cases, out of which 14 tested negative, while 4 cases were confirmed positive.

Lady dies of Lassa fever in Lagos

A 27 year old lady died from Lassa fever in Lagos on Tuesday January 26th. ‎Confirming her death, the Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Jide Idris, said the lady died of the disease at the Ijede General Hospital. She is said to have traveled to Lagos from Edo state on January 2nd and had been down with a fever.

US tells Nigeria: You are hurting our business interests

Foreign-exchange controls implemented by Nigeria’s government over the past year are hindering the ability of US companies to do business in Africa’s largest economy, according to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker.

US companies have “been quite explicit it’s a barrier to trade,” Pritzker said in an interview in the Nigerian commercial capital, Lagos on Monday.

The policies also hurt Nigerian manufacturers because they import about 52% of their inputs and need dollars to pay for those, she said. Pritzker will raise the issue with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, the capital, on Tuesday.

Has anything really changed in Nigeria under President Buhari?

Shaibu Stephen Ojate 

By Shaibu Stephen Ojate

The Nigerian political atmosphere has been clouded with all manner of praises and commendations on President Buhari’s fight against corruption and also his resolves to bring corrupt public officials to book.

Many have adjudged President Buhari’s administration as one good thing that has happened in the history of Nigeria. These pundits posited that even if this is the only thing President Buhari could do in his four years term in office, they would be very grateful and applaud him. They have consistently maintained that President Buhari is the only President in the history of Nigeria who has taken anti-corruption fight to a higher level.

Also, the opposition on their part maintained that President Buhari’s fight against corruption is selective adding that he was just after his perceived enemies rather than make it encompassing.

GEJ to hold world press conference in Switzerland on January 27th

Former President Goodluck Jonathan will hold a world press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday January 27th as part of activities planned by a group of diplomats to host him in the country. According to a statement by the executive director of the Geneva Press Club, Guy Mettan, Jonathan will be hosted to a dinner at Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva, on the same day.

The statement adds that the two major issues that Jonathan will address are: security and civil peace in Nigeria and West Africa, in addition to improvement of health and education of children in the continent. Only accredited United Nations correspondents and Swiss journalists are expected to attend the conference.

President Buhari rewards 1985 Golden Eaglets

President Muhammadu Buhari has given each member of the 1985 Nigeria U17 team the sum of two million naira with Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys receiving a sum of 1.2 million for their triumph in Chile.

The team handled by coach Sebastien Brodericks won the inaugural edition of the Fifa U17 World Cup staged in China.

The leader also honoured sportsmen and women who recorded success in various sports during his seven-month old administration.

Players and handler of the 2015 Caf U23 Championship got N500,000 each while N300,000 went to the assistant coaches and other officials.

INEC declares Seriake Dickson winner of Bayelsa governorship election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday night declared the incumbent governor of Bayelsa State and the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Bayelsa governorship election, Seriake Dickson, has the winner of the election.

 Dickson defeated his closest rival Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC). state.

In the result announced by Professor Zana Akpagu, the returning officer of the governorship election, Dickson got a total of 134, 998 while Sylva, a former governor of the state, polled a total of 86, 852. 

Cristiano Ronaldo: I will live like a king - and I will not be a coach

 World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed he will “live like a king” once his playing career comes to an end, but has ruled out a move into coaching when he hangs up his boots.

 Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer is in action on Sunday as Los Blancos look to move level with eternal rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race at Valencia.

 However, in a wide-ranging interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo, he admitted football doesn’t always captivate his interest.

 “I have a top life, but I think I am going to enjoy it more when I finish my career, when I have time to do what I like,” he said.

 “This Saturday there is a boxing bout in Las Vegas and I would like to take my friends and family to see it, and I can’t because I don’t have time.

Open Heavens 4 January 2016 Monday daily devotion: DAY FOUR MIRACLE

DAY FOUR MIRACLE 

Memorise: And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. - Genesis 1:16

Read: Genesis 1:14-19 (KJV)

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 22:22-24:25; Psalms 146

MESSAGE

PRAYER FOR STARTING YEAR 2016

Over the years, it has become a norm for many people to go to church for the watch night service in order to pray their way into the new year for protection and guidance by the lord Christ Jesus. 

Many that are once in a year church goers are not left out, all in the name that the New Year must meet me in the church, praying for breakthrough in the coming year.

In as much as it’s a good idea to go to church for the cross over service, it’s not good enough to leave the church and forget about praying personally on your own. 

Prayer is a personal communication between you and God, it’s asking for something with intense yearning. Prayer is a place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made.

So, as we pray this year, heaven will open upon us and make a way for us where it seems to be no way in Jesus name.

All you need to do is to pray, believe and then see it happing through Christ Jesus.

You will succeed in Jesus name.

BELOW ARE THE LISTS OF PRAYER POINTS FOR THIS YEAR.

Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu apologises to President Buhari, Jonathan, Igbo elders

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra and founder of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed regret for referring to President Muhammadu Buhari as a terrorist, evil and a paedophile in his radio broadcasts.

Kanu, who has been charged along with two others by the Federal Government before a Federal High Court in Abuja on six counts of treason and other ancillary offences, said he intended to write a private letter to Buhari to express his apology to the President.

He also apologised to former President Goodluck Jonathan and Igbo elders for “some uncomplimentary things” he said about them.

Kunle Afolayan Is Now An Ambassador For Peugeot Motors

The popular actor was made as their ambassador at an event hosted by the company in Abuja. See more photos after the cut...

Former President Jonathan was a guest at the Presidential Precinct in Virginia USA where he gave a talk on Democratic leadership. Jonathan who conceded victory to Pres. Buhari after the presidential election, spent nearly a week, Nov. 8-13, at Precinct, having discussions with academic, government and business leaders and sharing his experiences with local experts. More pics after the cut...

The Trent Names Goodluck Jonathan As Person Of The Year 2015

One of Nigeria's most influential online newspapers, The Trent has named former President Goodluck Jonathan Person of the Year 2015.

"We are delighted to launch our Person of the Year Award with such a deserving statesman," the newspaper's, President and Executive Editor, Ms. Aziza Uko told journalists in Lagos, Monday. "This marks our second anniversary and our Editorial Board decided to launch this award to celebrate the best among us, to present to the country, especially, the young generation, real symbols of hope."

Nigerians to pay for only the power they consume as NERC releases new electriity tariff

Nigerians will henceforth pay for only the power they consume as the new electricity tariff released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has removed fixed electricity charges that has constantly caused discrepancies in the billing system of meters in most Nigerian homes.

This recent development is contained in a statement released by Sam Amadi, chairman of NERC today December 21st.

Open Heavens 22 December 2015 Tuesday daily devotion: Whose voice?

 

Whose voice?

Memorise: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.  - Isaiah 30:21

Read: Ezekiel 14:1-5 (KJV)

1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

2 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 14:26-17:18; 2 Peter 2

MESSAGE

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini banned from football for 8years by FIFA

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and former EUFA president Michel Platini, have been banned from football for eight years after the FIFA Independent ethics Committee said the pair's 'defence wasn't convincing enough'.. Read FIFA's Official statement released this morning after the cut;

''The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and President of UEFA, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately.''

Sacked Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho seen taking a stroll in London

 

Former coach of Chelsea FC is back on the street of London, hunting for new coaching job. Wishing him good luck all the way.

  

Nigerian Athlete Blessing Okagbare beats Usain Bolt to Guinness World Record

  

Nigerian sprinter and long jumper Blessing Okagbare over the weekend beat the World's fastest man Usain Bolt to win the Guinness World Book of Records prize for most IAAF Diamond League appearances in 2015. Guinness Book of records said,

“Multi-discipline athlete, Blessing Okagbare from Nigeria participated at 38 Diamond league events between July 3, 2010 and September 5, 2014.

Okagbare’s specialties are the 100m and 200m sprints and long jump,” Jamaica's Usain Bolt has won the IAAF World Athlete of the year in 2008,2009,2011,2012 and 2013 but amazingly hasn't appeared in IAAF competitions more than Blessing Okagbere.

The IAAF Diamond League is an annual series of track and field meetings held from 2010 till date, and Blessing Okagbare has participated in 38 events higher than any other athlete in the world.