Sergio Busquets has emerged Barcelona new captain, following Lionel Messi’s departure from the Spanish Club, Ronald Koeman has confirmed.
Messi said a tearful goodbye to Barcelona on Sunday as it became clear that the Blaugrana had no way of registering him.
While Messi is expected to join close friend Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, Koeman has now revealed that Sergio Busquets will take over from the Argentine as the club’s new captain.
“Despite the farewell of Messi, we are very excited about this season. We are convinced that we will give you many joys this season,” Koeman told Barca fans ahead of the Gamper Trophy encounter tie with Juventus.
“The youngsters are the future of this great club.
“It has been very hard to play a whole year without an audience, we are delighted to see you again.”
“Sergio Busquets will take over from Messi as the new Barcelona captain.“
Reacting, Busquets said, “It is a pride to be the captain.
“I have had great examples with Carles Puyol, Xavi and Leo. Thank you Leo for taking Barça to the highest level… Eternal thanks Leo
Makinde Commiserate with Ayefele on Death Of Fresh Fm Station Manager
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared the death of David Ajiboye, publicist of gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele as devastating.
Makinde made this disclosure via a statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday.
Ajiboye, who was until his death, spokesman of Ayefele, died on Sunday.
It was gathered that Ajiboye died in a hospital in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He has been working as publicist to Ayefele for quite some years.
He was until his death, the Station manager of Fresh 106.9 FM Ado Ekiti.
The management of the station confirmed the death.
David Ajiboye, Yinka Ayefele’s Fresh FM Station Manager is dead
In a statement signed by Samson Akindele, the management declared that Ajiboye was a foundation member of the music arm of Yinka Ayefele Limited as the Publicist to Yinka Ayefele and the Merry Makers Band.
But, Makinde while reacting, expressed shock over the death of Ajiboye.
He described the demise as a painful loss.
Makinde in the statement issued by his Special Assistant (Print Media), Moses Alao, said that Ajiboye was a vivacious and easy going man.
“I am shocked by the news of the death of Mr. David Ajiboye, the General Manager, Fresh FM, Ado-Ekiti, after a brief illness.
“I commiserate with my friend and Chairman of Fresh FM, Evang. Dr. Yinka Ayefele, and the management of the Fresh FM Stations on the death of such a vibrant, trusted and dependable ally as Ajiboye.
“I also express my heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late media and entertainment chief.
“Ajiboye was a good ambassador of the Fresh FM and certainly one its greatest defenders in all seasons,” he said.
Coalition Of Northern Groups, Slams PSC, Demand Review Of Abba Kyari’s Suspension
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and other northern Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have demanded a review of the suspension of an embattled police officer, DCP Abba Kyari.
Naija News reports that billionaire fraudster, Ramon Abbas, better known as Hushpuppi, had alleged that he bribed Kyari to arrest someone who outsmarted him in a $1.1 million scam, an allegation the police officer denied.
Kyari is currently on suspension by the Police Service Commission over an indictment by the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI).
The police had set up a panel to probe Kyari while he was replaced as head of the Intelligence Response team of the force.
Reacting to Kyari’s suspension, the coalition and other CSOs condemned the Nigeria Police Force and PSC for suspending Kyari from the force.
At its meeting on Sunday, the coalition slammed both the FBI and the Nigerian Police authority for breaching Kyari’s fundamental right to a fair hearing before suspending the officer.
A communique signed by leaders of CNG and eight other organizations, and read by the CNG spokesman, Abdulazeez Sulieman, demanded an immediate transfer of Kyari’s case to the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The communique reads: “Participants at the roundtable critically reviewed the events that have unfolded since the reports of a purported indictment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari by a United States Court for involvement in charges filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) against a suspected fraudster, Ramon Abbas Hushpuppi.
“The Roundtable specifically noted several procedural lapses bordering on breaches of international protocol in the supposed FBI attempt to wrap DCP Kyari in the Hushpuppi affair, as well as the obvious haste by the Nigeria Police authorities to strip him of his position with an immediate replacement.
“That the FBI, an acclaimed American security agency, might invariably have breached the global standard legal and diplomatic practice by neglecting to contact either the Nigerian High Commission in the US or the Nigerian authorities through the FBI liaison offices based in Nigeria before going ahead to file an indictment of a top Nigerian Security Officer.
“That the FBI might have breached another fundamental criminal justice procedure by not according Mr Kyari the benefit of being heard before going ahead with the purported indictment by an American Court in the US for an offence purportedly committed in Nigeria, triable under Nigerian laws, by Nigerian courts and on Nigerian land.
“A breach of decorum and negligence of procedure might have also occurred when the FBI hurriedly published the purported indictment online without first intimating the Nigerian authorities.
“The Roundtable also raised questions on the apparent haste with which Kyari was suspended and an immediate substantive replacement named by the Nigerian police authorities, an outright breach of Mr Kyari’s fundamental right to fair hearing by both the FBI and the Nigerian police authorities by not allowing him the benefit of being heard before the hasty actions against him.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the site for the construction of the Presidential Wing of the State House Clinic.
Since assuming office in 2015, the President is usually flown abroad for medical check up and treatment.
Critics wonder why he failed to push for the construction of another State House Clinic to cater for his health issues to save the country the financial burden of frequent trips.
The Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs has visited the site of the new facility.
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Umar Tijjani, told the members that the new wing of the State House Clinic would serve the Nigerian populace.
But this is not totally expected as the centre would particularly cater for the medical needs of the President, Vice-President, members of their families and top government officials.
Tijjani said the project will be completed before the end of the Buhari administration.
Umar lamented the non release of budgetary allocation to State House in full, noting that some of the facilities had become obsolete.
Out of about N8.699billion budgeted for State House in the 2018, only about N5.083billion (58 per cent) was released, he said.
In 2019, out of N6.955billion budgeted, only about N2billion was released. However, in 2020, about N4.878 billion was appropriated and fully released.
“By the time this administration leaves office, we would have the Presidential wing of the State House Clinic in place”, NAN quoted him as saying.
“We have already started in earnest with activities that are required for the construction, we have received the necessary approvals.
”We have received no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement. The contractor is going to come in form of a turnkey project, in order to mobilise and take over the site”, Tijani added.
Any government worker in Anambra who abstains from office on Monday because of the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, will forfeit his or her August salary, Governor Willie Obiano has threatened.
This was contained in a circular to heads of all the Ministries and parastaltals by the Head of Service HOS, Harry Uduh.
The government asked all Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries to monitor compliance in the State and report back
It reads: “The Government of Anambra State has directed that all workers in the State must attend to their duties on Monday 9th August 2021 as failure to do so will result in severe sanctions including loss of Salary for the month of August.
“All Hon. Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries are to monitor and report compliance please.
” Kindly give this information the widest publicity in your Establishment.” HOS.
Fear of possible attack has gripped residents but Anambra Police Command said there was no cause for alarm
Speaking with The Nation, Anambra Police spokesman, Ikenga Tochukwu, said their duty was to protect lives and property of the residents
He said the Command with the other sister agencies would make sure no harm would befell any citizen as they move about their normal businesses
Before the circular on Sunday, the State government had made it clear residents should ignore the order by IPOB and go about their normal businesses.
But many residents said they would stick to the safe option of staying away.
One of the traders said even if the government offered her N1m to go to the market she would not accept.
“Those people behave like wild animals. I have my family to take care of. if I die now, who will take care of them? IPOB members are not human beings,” she stated.
A government worker in one of the ministries told The Nation he would monitor the situation first before any taking decision.
He said it would be better to lose one month salary than his life in the hands of the ‘beasts’ when he was nearing his retirement period.
“No one will like to disobey government directive but the IPOB members are heartless.
” They are the “unknown gunmen”, nobody knows their minds. It’s a difficult situation for the workers in Anambra,” the worker said.
Onyeka Onwenu Speaks On ‘Secret Marriage, Sleeping With Obasanjo, King Sunny Ade
Popular Nigerian singer, Onyeka Onwemu, has open up on clams that she had a secret marriage with former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Onwenu in an interview with Chude Jideonwo noted that the allegation that she slept with Obasanjo and had a secret marriage with the former President is false.
She also revealed she was accused while growing up of sleeping with many big men in Nigeria.
The veteran singer said: “I was accused of sleeping with Sunny Ade, Fela and Obasanjo.
“They even went to the extent of saying I got married to Obasanjo secretly. If he approached me to marry him, why would I keep it a secret? We would have made it public so that was funny.”
Onwenu further stated her marriage to her ex-husband would have almost killed her if not for her brother who saved her.
Falana Gives Malami 7 Days Ultimatum To Provide Information On Trial Of 800 Boko Haram Suspects
Human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, to provide information on the charges brought against 800 Boko Haram suspects.
Recall that in April the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) arrested dozens of persons during a nationwide crackdown on the suspected Boko Haram financiers and collaborations.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request signed by Samuel Ogala, Falana asked Malami to provide the information of their prosecution within seven days in accordance with the act.
The letter read, “In November 2020, the Governors of the North East Region applied to prosecute Boko Haram suspects who were arrested and held in detention by the security forces. The application was made on the ground that the process of prosecuting terrorists, which was solely reserved for the Attorney General of the Federation was unnecessarily unwieldy. Nonetheless, the application was not granted.
“In April, 2021, the Governors expressed their reservations over the delay in the trial of the terror suspects, demanding a prosecutorial power from the Attorney General of the Federation to enable their respective State Governments to prosecute the detained Boko Haram suspects. The request was also rejected.
“However, by May 2021, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation was widely reported in the print and electronic media to the effect that the Federal Government had concluded arrangements to prosecute about 800 suspects linked to the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, as soon as the industrial action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) was called off.
“In the light of the above, we request that our law firm be furnished with information with respect to when these Boko Haram suspects would be arraigned in court, since the strike by JUSUN has since been called off.
“Kindly ensure that we are furnished with the requested information within 7 days of the receipt of this letter in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
“Honorable Minister, whilst we anticipate your expeditious consideration of this application, please do accept the assurances of our esteemed regards.”
Important Things You Should Know About Late Captain Hosa Okunbo
It was earlier reported that Edo State-born politician, philanthropist and business mogul, Captain Hosa Okunbo is dead.
The billionaire, 63, died at the early hours of today Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Okunbo, Chairman of Ocean Marine Solution Limited, died in London, United Kingdom.
Brief profile:
Idahosa (Hosa) Wells Okunbo (born 7 January 1958) was a Nigerian business magnate, investor, philanthropist and trained commercial pilot.
He served as either chairman or director on numerous company boards in Nigeria, spanning multiple business sectors such as the agro-allied, petroleum, telecommunications, power, real estate and banking industries.
Okunbo is a native of Edo State in the southern part of Nigeria.
He was born in Benin City to the family of Reverend Robert Amos Okunbo, a clergyman, teacher and community leader.
Okunbo had his primary education at Government Primary in Benin City, old Bendel State, now Edo State.
He proceeded to Federal Government College, Warri, in 1971, where he sat for West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Okunbo was a native speaker of the Edo language, and a fluent speaker of English.
He pursued a desire to become a pilot by studying at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, and became a professional commercial pilot at the age of 21.
He also attended ACME School of Aeronautics, Fort Worth Texas in 1983, where he obtained an Airline Transport Pilot License.
He established Hoslyn Ventures Limited, a company focused on procurement in the Oil and Gas sector and, since then, his business interests have grown in leaps and bounds.
Owing to the restiveness in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Captain Okunbo set up Ocean Marine Security Limited, a pioneer Marine Security company responsible for offshore asset protection for major oil companies in Nigeria.
He is also the Chairman of the following companies
PPP Fluid Mechanics Limited, a crude oil logistics company
OMS Tankers Ltd, owners of the first indigenous marine tankers in Nigeria;
Westminster Security Solutions Limited, a franchise of Westminster Group Plc UK.
Wells Habitat Limited, a company partnering the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency
Hoslyn Habitat Limited, a foremost design, construction and landscaping company
Wells Property Development Company Limited, involved in the development of affordable properties / offices
Gyro Air Limited, operators of charter flight operations
…and a Director of the following companies:
Joint Marine Environ Guard Ltd (JMEG),
Secure Anchorage Area Limited (SAA)
Digisteel Integrated Services Ltd
Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited (IEDM), core investor in Ibadan and Yola Electricity Distribution Companies
Phil Nugent Nigeria Limited
In 1997, as part of his contribution to Nigeria’s electoral process, Capt. Okunbo was the leader of a business team that nurtured the idea that led to the introduction of transparent ballot boxes for use in Nigeria’s elections.
He also participated in numerous national and international fora as a resource person and has been honoured by different organisations and institutions.
In 2007, this distinguished gentleman was honoured with the Justice of the Peace (JP) in recognition of his astounding contributions to the promotion of peace and good governance as well as development of his constituency.
An Honorary Doctorate Degree was conferred upon him by the prestigious University of Benin for his contribution and benevolence to humanity as well as his achievements as an entrepreneur.
Captain Hosa is survived by wife, Nosa Okunbo, and children.
See Photo Of The Chibok Girl Rescued From Boko Haram Captivity With Her Children
A Chibok girl, who had been in Boko Haram captivity for about seven years has been rescued and reunited with her family in Borno State.
The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum on Saturday, confirmed the return of the girl identified as Ruth Ngladar Pogu.
The lady is part of the over 200 students abducted from Government Secondary School (GSS) Chibok, in Borno State by the Boko Haram terrorists in 2014.
While in captivity, she was married off to one of the terrorists who captured her, with the union producing two children.
Earlier, this online news medium had reported that Governor Zulum of Borno State on Saturday revealed that another Chibok girl has been rescued from captivity.
Before Saturday’s confirmation, it will be recalled that Naija News had previously reported that a young lady who was part of the Chibok girls abducted by terrorists and her Boko Haram/ISWAP husband have surrendered to the Nigerian Army.
They surrendered and presented themselves to troops at the Bama area, within the Lake Chad region of Borno State on July 28 the report noted.
The photos of the rescued girl and the reunion with her family have now been obtained by our reporter.
Rescued Chibok girl
Speaking when he received the rescued Chibok girl at the government house in Borno, Governor Zulum said Ruth will undergo a rehabilitation and reintegration programme.
The Governor also expressed optimism that other girls still in captivity will also be rescued and return to their families.
He said: “I am extremely excited both as Borno’s governor and father of all sons and daughters of the state and also as a father to daughters.
“I know the feeling of families of those still under captivity but we have to remain hopeful especially with today’s development.”
BREAKING: Another Chibok Schoolgirl Rescued – Zulum
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Saturday revealed that another Chibok girl has been rescued from captivity.
According to the governor, the rescued girl was married to a Boko Haram fighter and returned with two kids she delivered while in captivity.
