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Man United head coach, Ruben Amorim, has warned against complacency ahead of his sides second leg Europa League clash against Athletic Club.

 

Speaking with TNT Sports on Thursday, Amorim said, “We had the chances to score one more, but this is not done. The same result can happen at Old Trafford, and we need to be prepared.”

 

Indeed, nobody expected the magnitude of their 3-0 Europa League semi-final first leg win at Athletic Club, but insisted the tie was still not over ahead of next week’s return match.

 

His side became only the third to win at San Mames since August and inflicted the joint-biggest defeat on their hosts at the stadium in over a decade, putting one foot in the Europa League final at the same stadium later this month, where they look likely to meet Premier League rivals Tottenham.

 

United weathered an early storm from the hosts but took the lead through Casemiro’s header, and then played much of the game with a man advantage after centre-back Dani Vivian conceded a penalty and was sent off for pulling back Rasmus Hojlund in his own box.

 

Despite scoring three goals in the final 15 minutes of the opening period, the one criticism of the visitors’ performance was that they did not manage to add to their advantage and kill off the tie as a contest.

 

Man Utd are the only remaining team unbeaten in Europe this season, in stark contrast to their Premier League campaign where they have lost 15 of 34 league games – but even so, the head coach had not been expecting such an emphatic victory in the Basque country.

“It’s the best result because nobody expected this result,” he said. “But you saw two games today – the first 25 minutes and then, after the goal and the sending-off, the game changed.

 

“In the second half, we tried to be cautious, and we created chances, but the most important thing is the opponent didn’t get many shots on our goal.

 

“In the first 30 minutes, they had chances to score. If they score, it’s a different game. When we scored, we felt freer to play.

 

“It’s hard to understand, but sometimes it’s the context. We can win this competition. In the Premier League, we are suffering game after game. We try to manage both things with some injuries. Sometimes, it’s hard, even for the players.”

 

Amorim sounded a note of caution despite the size of Man Utd’s victory and the meteoric collapse, which would be required for them to be eliminated.

 

Of 133 previous first-leg away wins by three goals in European knock-out ties, all 133 teams have progressed to the next round.

 

The City Boy Movement has denounced as a baseless claim that its Grand Patron, Mr Seyi Tinubu, mobilised thugs to disrupt the National Association of Nigerian Students executives’ inauguration.

 

Mr Francis Shoga, the Director-General of the group, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the City Boy Movement is a youth-driven sociopolitical and good governance advocacy organisation.

 

NAN reports that NANS factional president, Atiku Isah, on Wednesday, accused Seyi Tinubu of disrupting his inauguration in Abuja and locking down the venue.

In a statement by its PRO, Orowole Owoyemi, the group alleged Tinubu tried to hijack NANS leadership, thereby undermining its autonomy and student representation.

 

Responding, Shoga said the allegations were malicious, unfounded, and intended to damage Seyi Tinubu’s character through a desperate act of character assassination without credible evidence.

 

He urged those behind the smear campaign to cease their defamatory acts or face legal action for attempting to defame Tinubu’s reputation.

 

Shoga affirmed that Seyi Tinubu remains committed to youth empowerment, constructive dialogue and impactful development, not meddling in student organisations’ internal matters.

 

“The City Boy Movement is aware of false claims that our Grand Patron, Seyi Tinubu, mobilised thugs to disrupt unauthorised NANS inauguration events.

“As Director-General, I firmly reject these groundless accusations, which aim solely to smear the good name of Seyi Tinubu.

 

“The outlandish claims of being stripped and filmed under duress are nothing more than staged theatrics seeking undue public sympathy,” he said.

 

He emphasised Tinubu’s calm demeanour and consistent focus on youth advancement, not organisational interference.

 

“The group will not remain silent while opportunists exploit the President’s son’s name for publicity,” he added.

 

Shoga encouraged Nigerian youth to ignore the theatrics and stay focused on meaningful progress and collaboration.

He added that such disorganised antics, regardless of backing, will not succeed in misleading the public

 

Social media was set abuzz on Thursday when Nigerian music stars Michael Ajereh, aka Don Jazzy, and Crown Uzama aka Shallipopi, surprised fans with millions of naira in spontaneous giveaways following viral online interactions.

 

Don Jazzy gifted a woman, Adeyemi Adejoke Abidemi, a total of ₦6 million after noticing that her account balance was “not healthy.”

 

It all started with a trending post on X.com that encouraged users to tag one celebrity to gift them ₦1 million.

 

Adeyemi who tweets as #PopoolaJoke4 tagged #DONJAZZY, writing, “Make I tag #DONJAZZY. I dey always dream about him. Happy new month sir.”

The Mavin Records boss replied, “Akant namba,” prompting her to drop her GTBank details.

 

Minutes later, she posted a screenshot showing a ₦1 million credit alert. “Jesuuuuuusssssssss, this is huge,” she wrote. “Thank you so much for your incredible generosity. Receiving 1 million naira is beyond anything I expected, and I’m truly grateful. Your support means the world to me. God bless you abundantly sir.”

 

The surprise didn’t end there as Don Jazzy, moved by her previous balance of just ₦67.29, responded, “Amen ooo. That your akant balance is not healthy. I don add another 5 million. More blessings ma.”

 

Adeyemi confirmed the receipt of the additional N5m with a screenshot of her account balance with N6m.

 

Excited about the massive top-up, she wrote, “Oluwa oo. I am deeply grateful for this extraordinary blessing. May the Almighty who used you to lift me reward you beyond measure. May your hands never lack, your heart always be at peace, and your generations forever enjoy divine favour. Thank you #DONJAZZY. May God continue to enlarge your coast.”

 

In response to a critic who questioned her previously low balance, she said, “None of my accounts get 1 naira, I can screenshot all for you, only GTBank get 67 naira.”

Meanwhile, Shallipopi also gifted a million naira each to two of his fans while promoting his song.

 

“Summer is coming, ready your shorts and bikinis. Don’t forget to take a lil speaker with you in case you wanna jam da Album,” he posted on X on Thursday.

 

A fan, Samuel Uchechukwu Ifesinachi who tweets #teslime_dmw replied, “Summer is coming, still broke as hell. Money to buy speaker no dey.”

 

Shallipopi responded, “Imma send u a million if you promise to get yourself a very big JBL.” Ifesinachi eagerly promised to do so, as he shared his account details afterwards.

The artist confirmed the transfer of N1 million to the fan by sharing a receipt of the transaction on his X page.

 

Another fan, Anirah Gabriel who tweets as #gabe_the_menace, reminded Shallipopi of a prior conversation they had in March where the singer had asked, “How much you fit chop?” and Gabriel had replied, “Shock me papi.”

 

Responding to the screenshot of their previous conversation, Shallipopi teased him back, saying, “Lol u nor talk how much u fit chop nah. You dey do yanga for presido, talk jorr.”

 

Gabriel replied, “Make I see 1 meter from u preside jare,” to which Shallipopi responded, “Now u are talking,” and asked him to send his account details.

 

The singer afterwards shared the receipt of a transfer of N1m to Gabriel’s account.

 

No fewer than three shops were razed by fire in the early hours of Friday in Sango, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

 

The incident, which occurred behind the Fart Oil filling station around 4:30 am, reportedly began after an electrical spark from a plugged-in freezer ignited nearby combustible materials.

 

Investigations by PUNCH Online revealed that three out of a row of ten prefabricated shops were completely engulfed in flames before the arrival of fire service officials.

 

Though no casualties were recorded, goods including freezers, drinks, and other valuables worth several million naira were destroyed in the inferno.

 

When contacted on Friday, the State General Manager of the Fire Service, Yemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Ibadan.

He said, “The emergency was reported at exactly 04:41 hours on the morning of Friday, May 2, 2025, via a telephone call from CSP Adesina, concerning shops on fire behind the Fart Oil Filling Station, Sango, Ibadan.

 

“The agency’s personnel, led by ACFS Adedeji (Mrs), were promptly deployed to the scene. On arrival, it was discovered that three shops out of a row of ten prefabricated shops were well alight.

 

“We swiftly swung into action and prevented the fire from spreading to other shops. The blaze was completely extinguished.

 

“No casualty was recorded. The fire affected three shops, freezers, and drinks. All nearby shops and property worth millions of naira were saved by officers of the fire service.”

 

He added that preliminary investigations revealed the fire was caused by sparks from a freezer that had been plugged in overnight and left unattended.

The Bauchi State Police Command has disclosed the successful interception of a truck transporting refined iodised salt, which was suspected of being diverted.

 

According to a press release issued on Thursday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, the operation equally resulted in the apprehension of two individuals.

 

He explained, “On 30th April 2025, at about 1700 hours, operatives from the Alkeleri Divisional Police Headquarters acted on reliable intelligence, conducting a stop-and-search operation that led to the interception of a flat-topped truck trailer (registration number BAG 283 XF) carrying over one thousand bags of 25 kilograms each of iodised salt.

 

“The total estimated value of the confiscated salt amounts to approximately ten million two hundred thousand Naira (₦10,200,000). While the driver escaped the scene, the two suspects—Sadik Jidda, aged 20 years old, from Borno State, and Ibrahim Ahmad, aged 19 years old, from Kaduna State—were apprehended within the vehicle.”

 

Wakil stated that initial investigations indicated that the suspects were identified as conductors and were informed by the driver, who remains at large, about their destination in Alkeleri, Bauchi State.

 

He noted that the command is currently undertaking additional measures to locate and apprehend the driver and uncover further details surrounding the incident.

In the same vein, the command also disclosed a separate operation conducted on the same day where a 28-year-old individual, Jibrin Ali from Zandar, Niger Republic, was arrested in the Yankari Game Reserve, Alkeleri LGA, Bauchi State.

 

The PPRO revealed that Jibrin was found impersonating military personnel and displaying suspicious behaviour in an area known for bandit activity.

 

“Detectives from the Alkeleri Divisional Police Headquarters intervened during a routine patrol in collaboration with local security outfits and facilitated his arrest, which was met with some resistance.

 

“Upon interrogation, he could not satisfactorily explain his presence in the forest, raising concerns regarding his potential involvement with local criminal elements,” the statement added.

 

Wakil hinted that the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, while commending the diligence and professionalism demonstrated by the officers involved, has directed that both cases be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for more comprehensive investigations.

 

He stated that Bauchi State Command remains committed to prioritising our communities’ safety and security and appreciates the support of local security forces in these endeavours.

The Gada Divisional Police Headquarters in Sokoto State has recovered 25 cattle suspected to have been stolen or strayed from their rightful owners.

 

The animals were found in a dense forest bordering the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, following a tip-off from local authorities.

 

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, said in a statement on Friday that the recovery was initiated after Alhaji Muhammad Kyari reported the presence of stray cattle.

 

The statement read, “The District Head of Gada. Alhaji Idi “M,” the former Village Head of Gidan Rabami Village in Gada Local Government Area, had earlier alerted the authorities about the presence of stray cattle in a nearby forest.

 

“The animals were found in a dense forest bordering Sabon Birni Local Government Area, an area known for its complex terrain and occasional security challenges.

 

“The Gada Police Division responded promptly, deploying officers to the site where the 25 cattle were successfully recovered without incident.”

The statement further said that following the operation, the cattle were transported to the Gada Division Headquarters, where they are being held securely.

 

The police have called on livestock owners whose cattle may be missing to visit the station with valid proof of ownership for identification and collection.

 

“This recovery effort demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting the lives and property of our citizens, including their means of livelihood.

 

“We are calling on all concerned livestock owners to come forward with necessary identification to facilitate a smooth verification and handover process,” Rufai stated.

 

Authorities are also encouraging residents of Gada and neighbouring communities to share this information widely to hasten the identification process and prevent potential disputes or prolonged delays in reuniting the livestock with their owners.

 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Friday that winning the Premier League title at Anfield was one of the best days of his life as he turned his thoughts towards next season.

 

The Reds crushed Tottenham 5-1 on Sunday to seal a record-breaking 20th English league title with four games to spare, basking in a sensational atmosphere at their packed home ground.

 

“Maybe for all the Liverpool fans, but for many of them, one of the best days of their lives, and I think it was the same for me,” said Slot.

 

“The way the whole day went, arriving at the stadium, how intense the fans already were, then during the game going 1-0 behind, so it even felt like, ‘Oh, they’re not going to give it to us, we have to work for it’.

 

“Scoring the goals, seeing how much it meant to the players but also to the fans, for me, was really special to be part of.”

 

Liverpool travel to face fifth-placed Chelsea on Sunday before taking on Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace in their remaining games.

 

“It’s nice that we play some very strong teams with Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Palace, so that gives immediate challenge to those games,” said Slot, 46.

 

“It’s the end of the season but we also have to look at this as the start of next season already.”

 

The Dutchman said he was surprised by the 22-point between his side and Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, whom he felt were the better team when they met in October, even though Liverpool won 2-1.

“We found a way to win, and that is a quality that we didn’t need a lot, because mostly we were the better team on the pitch,” he said.

 

“But in that game we had to suffer more than any other game, maybe. So to be so many points ahead of them is a big compliment for everyone here at this club.”

 

The former Feyenoord boss said he would rotate in the final games of the season.

 

“Some of them deserve to play already earlier this season because they’ve trained so well,” he said. “They are good enough to play for this club but I mainly chose the same players.

 

“And I think this is also a moment to see where they are, also looking towards next season maybe a bit already. But definitely also because they deserve to play this season.”

Slot said Liverpool’s Premier League triumph would be a boost in terms of recruitment.

 

“Winning the league, having these fans, I think this is a big attraction to every player we want to bring in, and that’s definitely helpful,” he said.

 

Captain Virgil van Dijk and top-scorer Mohamed Salah have recently signed new contracts to stay at the Liverpool but Slot said there was no update on Trent Alexander-Arnold, who continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

 

AFP

The members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, Anambra State chapter, have commended the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for the implementation of an N82,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state.

 

The Anambra State Chairman of NLC, Humphrey Nwafor, made the commendation on behalf of the workers in an address during the 2025 May Day celebration held at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, on Thursday.

 

Nwafor also appreciated the governor for approving a N10,000 non-taxable award to pensioners.

 

He said, “The organised labour sincerely appreciates the remarkable strides of the administration of Prof. Soludo. From inception, his visionary leadership towards transforming Anambra into a hub of economic and infrastructural excellence has been evident.

“This vision is clearly reflected in the extensive road construction projects across the state, prudent economic management, and the achievement of major development milestones without resorting to borrowing, notable infrastructure projects such as the Ekwulobia Flyover, Awka Fun City, and the completion of the Anambra Government House and Lodge.

 

“Of special note for today’s celebration is the prompt and comprehensive implementation of the 2024 minimum wage. While the national benchmark was set at N70,000, our governor graciously approved N82,000, the highest in the South-East, and implemented it seamlessly across all sectors without industrial unrest. This is a true testament to exemplary leadership, and we deeply commend it.”

 

He called on all leaders, both in the public and private sectors, to prioritise the welfare of workers, especially in the areas of entitlements, empowerment, and fair remuneration.

 

Nwafor, however, appealed to the governor to urgently address other pressing issues that require serious attention like the issue of Contributory Pension Scheme, outstanding allowances for non-teaching staff in ASUBEB, the building of the Labour House, the appointment of a special adviser on labour matters.

 

Other issues requiring attention according to him, include low-cost housing for workers, mass recruitment, retirement age policy, water board, promotion, training and re-training of workers, utility vehicles for labour centres, payment of outstanding gratuities and entitlements to retirees of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, which has been pending since 2017, among others.

 

Soludo in his speech assured the workers that his administration will continue to work with the labour unions to ensure that the welfare of Anambra workers is always taken care of.

 

The May Day celebration with the theme, ‘Reclaiming civic space amidst economic hardship’, also featured the presentation of the award of ‘Worker’s Beacon of Hope’ to the governor in recognition of his exceptional empathy, dedication, and unwavering support for workers in Anambra.

 

During the event, Soludo also announced that his administration had successfully cleared seven years of accumulated gratuities and pension arrears inherited from the previous administrations.

 

He reiterated his government’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of workers, even amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

 

He said, “About the gratuities owed to our retired workforce, we have settled all arrears inherited upon assuming office. I am pleased to report that, barring cases where retirees have yet to complete documentation, we have successfully cleared four years’ backlog of pension arrears.”

“In the civil service, retirees were owed four years of pensions totalling N14 billion. I am happy to announce that we have paid for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Only the year 2021 remains, and we are making arrangements to ensure it is paid shortly.”

 

Governor Soludo emphasised his administration’s commitment to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and improved working conditions for public servants.

 

“Within the limits of our available resources, we remain determined to enhance the welfare and working environment of our workforce. This is not just a policy choice—it is a moral obligation,” he added.

 

President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday, May 8, embark on an official visit to Anambra State.

 

The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, disclosed Tinubu’s visit while addressing members of the state Labour and TUC unions at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Thursday, during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration.

 

The governor said during the visit, the President is expected to commission key infrastructure projects and attend a special function hosted by the state’s governor.

 

Soludo said the President will be visiting Anambra State to officially commission some of the completed projects his administration has executed so far within a space of three years in office.

He said, “President Bola Tinubu will be visiting Anambra State on Thursday, May 8, for an official visit. During his stay, the President is scheduled to meet with key stakeholders in the state, with a focus on evaluating the developments in the state.

 

“The President will be officially commissioning some of the completed projects executed by my administration in the three years in office.

 

“This is proof that my administration is forging a partnership that works. I urge you all to give him a resounding welcome.”

 

US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his intent to rename both May 8 and November 11 “Victory Day” in his latest attempt to alter the country’s nomenclature.

 

“I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

 

Victory Day, observed by the European Union on May 8 and in former Soviet countries on May 9, marks the anniversary of the formal acceptance of Germany’s unconditional surrender.

 

The war continued in Asia until the surrender of Japan in early September 1945 after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

 

Though some in the United States mark the occasion, May 8 is not a public holiday or celebrated as widely as in Europe.

 

“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,” Trump’s post said.

 

November 11 was originally named “Armistice Day” by former US president Woodrow Wilson to mark the anniversary of 1918 armistice ending the armed conflict in World War I.

It is now a public holiday celebrated in the United States as “Veterans Day” and meant to honor Americans who have served in the US armed forces.

 

“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything — That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so!” Trump continued. “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”

 

During World War II the Soviet Union, in which Russia was the largest of 15 republics, was allied with Britain and the United States against Nazi Germany.

 

The USSR suffered the greatest number of casualties in the war, with more than 20 million killed.

 

No executive order or proclamation enumerating the holiday name changes has been formally issued yet by the White House.

 

Trump in his second term has repeatedly sought to rename parts of US public life, whether it be a national holiday — such as changing “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” back to “Columbus Day” — or a geographical feature, like renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.”

 

AFP