Marriage troubles: The media has been unfair to me, Ubi Franklin cries out

Despite all his efforts to stay off the media, the MMMG boss, Ubi Frankline has had his own share of publicity, both for good and bad reasons. From the time he parted ways with his former record label mate, Iyanya to the time he started dating Lilian Usoro until their final marriage which has been surrounded with so many controversies.

His marriage to the talented actress despite producing a child, crashed barely four months after they gave birth to their first child, Jayden.



While some reports are saying that the crashed marriage was as a result of distance as the thespian always complained Ubi was not always around in most of her filming works, others are saying that the crashed marriage was as a result of infidelity and domestic abuse. With all these stories raging, the MMMG boss, seems to have retreated into a shell and decried that the media has not been fair to him. In a chat with him during the Miss Nigeria contest held recently, he said, “ I don’t want to speak with the media now, the media has not been fair to me.”

Wayne Rooney breaks Sir Bobby Charlton's Man United scoring record

Wayne Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time goal-scoring record for Manchester United on Saturday with his 250th for the club in a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

The striker produced a superb free kick four minutes into stoppage time to save United from defeat and extend their unbeaten run to 13 games.

Rooney, 31, had to wait two weeks to break the record after levelling it with his 249th goal in the FA Cup third-round game against Reading. His late strike at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday moved him ahead of England and United legend Charlton.

"Obviously it is a proud moment," Rooney said. "It is a bit of a strange feeling as obviously we wanted three points but didn't get it. But on the other end it is a proud moment for myself to get that record and a huge honour for me.

"I've been at the club a long time. Obviously those goals have built up over the years but to finally get that record it is a great feeling."

Of Rooney's 250 goals for United, it was only the sixth he scored directly from a free kick.

"We looked at set-pieces before the game and we knew it could be important today," Rooney said. "When we got it, I actually indicated to [Ander] Herrera that I was going to shoot, to make sure the players try and get across the keeper to try and put him off. As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in."

The goal also saw Rooney break Alan Shearer's record for the most scored away from home in Premier League history, moving him onto 88.

Charlton's goals came from 758 appearances between 1956 and 1973. Rooney's have come from 546 appearances after he joined the club from Everton in 2004.

"The record is the record," United manager Jose Mourinho told Sky Sports. "It is the record of the biggest club in England and one of the biggest in the world.

"Before him, the record belonged to a legend of English football. Now Wayne becomes a legend of Manchester United."

Rooney added that he still has a lot more to offer, telling Sky the record "means a hell of a lot."

"It's something I never expected when I joined the club but I'm delighted and very proud. It's been great, very successful, and there's a lot more to come."

Rooney also overtook Charlton to become England's all-time top scorer after netting his 50th goal for the Three Lions with an 84th-minute penalty in a 2-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win against Switzerland in September 2015.

His international tally now stands on 53 from 119 caps, and he is closing on Peter Shilton's record of 125 appearances for his country.

source:ESPN

BREAKING: Jammeh flees Gambia

Gambia’s former President Yahya Jammeh has left the country in the wake of elections that ousted him after 22 years in power.

He boarded a plane to Guinea and from there will travel on to exile in Equatorial Guinea, regional group ECOWAS says.
Mr Jammeh was defeated in December’s election by Adama Barrow but went on to challenge the results.

Mr Barrow has been in Senegal but says he will return to The Gambia soon.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Barrow said he wanted to create a truth and reconciliation committee to investigate allegations of human rights abuses during Mr Jammeh’s time in office.
Marcel de Souza, president of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), said the military operation that had sent West African troops into The Gambia in support of Mr Barrow, was now ended, although some would remain to ensure security.
Yahya Jammeh arrived at the airport amid a large convoy of vehicles and throngs of cheering supporters.
He stood on a small platform to hear ceremonial music performed by a military band and then walked down a long red carpet surrounded by dignitaries.
He climbed the steps to the plane, turned and kissed and waved a Koran at those assembled.
After 22 years in power, he left bound for Guinea where it’s believed he will stay before going on to another country.
Soldiers, supporters and dignitaries were emotional as he left – many of them crying. Many others in The Gambia are glad to see the end of what they considered a dictatorship, where there was little respect for human rights or freedom of speech
The details of the arrangements made – or promises offered to persuade Mr Jammeh to give up power peacefully are not yet known, but there was the real threat of military action from regional states.
He’s the first president to peacefully hand over power in The Gambia since independence from Britain in 1965.
Mr Barrow has been in neighbouring Senegal for days and was inaugurated as president in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.
Troops from several West African nations, including Senegal, had been deployed in The Gambia, threatening to drive Mr Jammeh out of office if he did not agree to go.
Mr Jammeh’s decision to quit came after talks with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania.
Guinea’s President Alpha Conde was with Mr Jammeh and his wife on the plane that left Banjul late on Saturday.
In an address on state television, Mr Jammeh, who had once said he would rule The Gambia for a billion years, said he would stand down and that it was “not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed”.
“I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians,” he said.

We hope to meet you in court if you’er ready: EFCC to Deziani Alison-Madueke

Former Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke, yesterday, slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleging that she stole $153 million from the till of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

The EFCC had recently obtained temporary order forfeiting the $153 million allegedly stashed away by the former minister in various accounts, to the federal government. But the former minister, in a rebuttal made available to Sunday Vanguard, last night, denied the ownership of the said money and challenged the EFCC to publish the details of the accounts, their owners and in which NNPC’s accounts the money was taken and when. She said she was saddened by what she called “media trial” by the EFCC and wondered what the commission was out to achieve by making “false and unsubstantiated claims” against her. She also denied owning a multi-billion Naira estate in Yenagoa, benefiting from the $1.3 billion Malabu Oil scandal. EFCC declined to respond to the allegations made by Mrs. Madueke, saying it would be contemptible to comment on a matter already being heard by a court of competent jurisdiction. “We hope to meet her in court if she is ready and can therefore not join issues with her at this point”, a top official of the commission told Sunday Vanguard. “If the former minister has no case to answer, she should come forward and meet us in court instead of raising false alarm to whip up sentiment and run away from the issues.” The former minister started: “I have up till now chosen to maintain my silence and not to respond to inaccurate press reporting. However, given the level of deliberate inaccuracies, I am now forced to respond because it is clear that the EFCC is taking advantage of my silence to try me by media and to convict me in the eyes of the public on false reports. ON THE $153.3MILLION ALLEGATION She went on: “I am deeply disturbed and bewildered by recent media reports claiming that by virtue of an order of the Federal High Court, I have forfeited to the Federal Government the sum of $153.3m which I purportedly stole from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. “First and foremost, whilst the reasons for my being out of the country are public knowledge, the principle of fair hearing demands that I should have been notified of formal charges if truly there was a prima facie evidence or indictment against my person linking me with the said issue, so as to ensure that I had adequate legal representation. This was never done. “I wish to state that I cannot forfeit what was never mine. I do not know the basis on which the EFCC has chosen to say that I am the owner of these funds as no evidence was provided to me before the order was obtained and they have not in fact served me with the order or, any evidence since they obtained it. As of the time of my writing this rebuttal (Thursday 19th January, 2017), the EFCC have still not furnished me or my lawyers with a copy of the order. “I am also informed by my lawyers that the legislation under which the EFCC obtained this order is for situations where the funds are believed to be the proceeds of crime and the owner is not known. I do not, therefore, understand how the EFCC can in the same breath say that the monies in question are mine. “If they had evidence that the monies were mine, then they would not /should not have used the procedure which applies only to funds of unknown ownership. If indeed they used this particular legal procedure because they did not know who owned the monies, then how can they now be falsely attributing the ownership to me(Annex-1A). “Let me re-state categorically as I have always maintained, for the record, I have NOT and WILL NEVER Steal Money from OR DEFRAUD the Federal Government of Nigeria. “I am willing to respond to any charges brought against me that follow duly laid down procedures. However, in their typical manner and style, the EFCC has gone to the media to attempt to prosecute their case as trial by TV and other media, rather than go through the onerous but tried and tested means of the Judicial Court process. “In the face of the obvious falsification of facts and misinformation, it is only right and proper that the EFCC should publish the details of the $153.3M lodgements, the bank account numbers and the account beneficiaries, showing proof of my link to them. “Having also alleged that the said $153.3M was ‘wired’ from NNPC, the EFCC should also publish details of the NNPC accounts from where the said $153.3 million was taken from, with proof that I authorized such a transaction/transactions acting either in my private capacity or, as the Honourable Minister of Petroleum. “Let me state for the record that as Minister of Petroleum, the operation and management of NNPC finances were outside my purview as outlined in both the Petroleum Act and the NNPC Act. The only involvement I had in NNPC Finances was in terms of completely shocked to once again see my name sensationally splashed across the front pages of newspapers and widely circulated on the internet, with blaring headlines such as ‘EFCC UNCOVERS DIEZANI’S MULTI-BILLION NAIRA ESTATE’. “ There was absolutely nothing ‘hidden’ or ‘concealed’ about the home. I HAD DECLARED IT OPENLY as required by law, in my asset declaration forms (Annex-4B). Yet the EFCC announced that they ‘just discovered’ my ‘hidden estate’! And labelled it a ‘multi-billion Naira estate’! Even though they had been given the bill of quantities, showing actual amount spent. “It is accepted tradition across the length and breadth of Nigeria, for people to own country/village homes. Given the size of the land and the location of the compound, the buildings thereon cannot by any stretch of the imagination be a “multi-billion Naira” palatial estate, as the news mongers would want to portray. “The EFCC was taken on a tour of the compound which consisted of a main house, and two outhouses – An Obi (meeting bungalow) and a staff quarters(BQ) building – above which we built three guest rooms and a parlour. The only other 2 structures are the gate and generator houses. Construction began in late 2011 and was handled in phases. “During the visit, the EFCC was given the bill of quantities, which, up until the time construction, stopped in early 2015, due to my illness, was at approximately N394million which was declared in the code of conduct documentation, attached (the costs were partially funded by a loan – see code of conduct – Annex4B, the work is still uncompleted and the contractor is still being owed). “Building costs escalated as a result of delays in construction and external factors such as the extreme flooding of late 2012, that covered most of our areas in the Niger Delta. “It is the accepted norm when building in the Niger Delta, that due to the topography of the land and the heavily waterlogged and marshy terrain, construction is infinitely more expensive than in other parts of the Country, as by its nature it requires the building of extensive piling/raft foundations before any structural work can commence. The flooding of 2012 compounded the problem and further increased the cost of construction. ON $700 Million Cash Found In My House “Stories were circulated by unscrupulous agents of calumny that the EFCC found a mind-boggling $700million in cash in my home in Abuja. Would the videos of this $700 million cash discovery not have made good viewing? Or should those who recovered this money not tell the public where exactly the money has been kept? “Perhaps the Central Bank should corroborate that it is in custody of these monies allegedly found in my house? But then, it is now patently apparent that Nigerians are no longer easily led to believe fables and sensational untruths. ON REALITY VERSUS FICTION “I would like to state for the record that I performed my duty as Minister of Petroleum Resources with the utmost sincerity and sense of responsibility, ensuring that all Nigerians irrespective of creed, gender or tribe enjoyed their rightful benefits from the Oil and Gas Sector ON $5.6 Billion LNG Dividend Fund “It is pertinent to note that at the end of my tenure, I left behind in the LNG dividend fund, for the incoming Administration, the sum of $5.6billion(five billion six hundred million US Dollars). “I did this to ensure continuity in the crucial gas sector development which underpins the entire Power and Energy Sector and which was and still is, absolutely imperative for the Country’s current and future economic development. ON LOCAL CONTENT “Having pushed for the full implementation of the Nigerian Local Content Act, despite resistance from various stakeholders, I actively promoted the benefits of ‘Nigerians Right to First Consideration’ in both the downstream and upstream sectors. “The immediate effect of my actions was that for the first time in history, thousands of Nigerians were able to break through the barriers of a sector that had hitherto been the preserve of a few powerful groups with vested interest, and thereby earn a living. This remains a source of pride to me, that not only did it create wealth across the entire economic value chain but it also ensured the unparalleled transfers of knowledge and expertise for our indigenous operators. It is noteworthy that the template is being adapted for use in other countries. ON FUEL SCARCITY “It is on record, that I immediately took the issue of incessant fuel queues head-on and in my time as petroleum minister, Nigerians rarely experienced fuel shortages. These queues had long dominated our landscape, causing untold hardship to millions of ordinary Nigerians stuck in fuel queues for hours; like the bus driver who was unable to earn enough to go to the market, and the market woman who, therefore, earned less and so could not afford school fees. This example, though at the most basic level, caused a chain reaction which was replicated in various facets throughout the economy. So, on the macro economic level, the main benefit of ending the fuel queues was an immediate increase in GDP, reduction in inflation and easier facilitation and movement of people, goods and services, across the country. The continuing effect of all these measures were that even in the most remote locations, Nigerians could buy and sell petroleum products. ON GAS SUPPLY AND INFRASTRUCTURE “As soon as I assumed office, I put into play my wealth of experience in the oil and gas sector, knowing that gas was imperative for our future growth and prosperity. I put together a team to look at all aspects of growing Nigeria’s Gas with the intent of turning Nigeria into a Premier Gas Exploring and Producing Country, even more than an oil producing country. “We started working on Gas for Industry – The commercialisation approach, Gas for home use – LPG, and Gas for Power generation. We even sponsored a pilot scheme for Gas to power vehicles. I implemented a short, medium and long term project to put in place sustainable gas supply to underpin the power sector and began laying the requisite infrastructure that was virtually non-existent when we took office. “We worked with NERC and the CBN to put in place the necessary fiscal levers, to ensure that Gas supply would be competitively priced. I left behind a comprehensive and detailed plan for the rollout of LPG and the Industrialisation of GAS eg. The Ogidingben project. ON PIB “I personally worked tirelessly through the night on many occasions, with the committee on the Petroleum Industry Bill, to finally get it to the point where for the first time in over 12 years, we could place it before the Federal Executive Council, and the National Assembly. “ I championed this in a bid to create a less corrupt, more transparent, accountable and responsible NNPC and Oil and Gas Industry as a whole. It was also to create additional funding inflows for the Nation. This was in spite of the fact that there was major resistance from powerful interest groups within and outside Nigeria. “I take personal satisfaction even now, that the PIB template I presented to the country is still the benchmark for the current and future development of the Oil Sector in Nigeria. The Template is already being adapted for use in other countries. MY POSITION “It is saddening that after eight years of serving my country, my experience as a public servant has been fraught with continuous malicious castigation and character assassination, all in the name of ‘personal vendettas’ or political horse trading. It has become apparent to many that these untruths told were at best well-crafted fables. “The most dramatic and damning accusation was the infamous missing $49.8 Billion that went from $12 Billion and then up to $20 Billion and which was alleged missing from NNPC. Today, we all know that the PWC report that was published cleared me of any wrong doing and no one up till now has been able to controvert the PWC report nor has anyone found the ‘missin’ 20 billion, or who took it. “In addition, the Makarfi-led committee in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in a series of publicly-held hearings, also vindicated me on the matter of the purportedly missing funds. Yet, we are all silent as if these events never occurred! “The allegations that I have addressed above are no different, the character assassination continues, this time with a new set of hirelings. “One of the basic tenets of the human trait is that we all have shortcomings and we all make our fair share of mistakes, whether we are in positions of leadership, or not. However, one error that cannot be ascribed to me is STEALING FROM NIGERIA & DEFRAUDING MY COUNTRY! “ It is therefore sad and distressing that in spite of all that I tried to do in the best interest of our nation, I continue to be faced with constant demonisation, unproven accusations and deeply personal insults. “In response, I have chosen not to insult, accuse or demonise anyone, any person or persons. In spite of all the allegations that have been made against me, not one has been factually proven. “I remain very proud of the fact that all the policies, tenets and plans that I initiated in the Oil & Gas sector are still underpinning the entire structure. This is because they were put in place with the good of the entire nation and its people in mind. They were not factional, or tribal, neither were they based on religious bias. “I am a woman from the Niger Delta, who through perseverance and sheer hard work rose to one of the highest positions in the country’s premier International Oil Company, and in tune with my ethos of hard work I earned the prestigious British Foreign & Commonwealth Chevening Scholarship Award and was thereafter admitted to my MBA program at the World renowned Cambridge University. “ In 2006, I was appointed as the first female executive director in the history of Shell Petroleum, Nigeria. Just over a year later, I was nominated and appointed as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, culminating in my appointment as Nigeria’s first female Minister of Petroleum, where again by dint of hard work I was appointed as the first female in history(in a completely male dominated space) to hold the Presidency of OPEC. “I can therefore, NO LONGER SIT BACK and allow the fabricated accusations against my person go unchallenged. “As a Christian, it is my sincerely held belief that in the coming months, history will be the judge of exactly who Lied and who told the Truth. By the Grace of God, I shall be here to see the day when truth prevails.”

Vegetable: Health Benefit and Nutritional Value

Why should we get diet rich in vegetable nutrition?

What are the health benefits of vegetables?

...Well!

• Vegetables, like fruits, are low in calories and fats but contain good amounts of vitamins and minerals. All the Green-Yellow-Orange vegetables are rich sources of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, vitamin B-complex, vitamin-C, vitamin-A, and vitamin K.
• As in fruits, vegetables too are home for many antioxidants. These health benefiting phyto-chemical compounds firstly; help protect the human body from oxidant stress, diseases, and cancers, and secondly; help the body develop the capacity to fight against these by boosting immunity.
• Additionally, vegetables are packed with soluble as well as insoluble dietary fiber known as non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) such as cellulose, mucilage, hemi-cellulose, gums, pectin...etc. These substances absorb excess water in the colon, retain a good amount of moisture in the fecal matter, and help its smooth passage out of the body. Thus, sufficient fiber offers protection from conditions like chronic constipation, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and rectal fissures.

...Go for greens to help you stay fit and healthy!

Vegetable nutrition has widely drawn the attention of fitness conscious as well as food scientists alike for their proven health benefits. Majority of day-to-day used vegetables are very low in calories, and saturated fats. Just for example Celery holds just 16 calories per 100 g. There is a long list of vegetables whose calorie is less than 20 per 100 g such as bottle gourd, bitter melon, cabbage, chinese cabbage, bok-choy, eggplant, endive, spinach, summer squash, swiss chard, etc. Scientific studies have shown that these low-calorie but nutrient-rich foods help human body stay fit, and free from diseases.

Furthermore, human body spends a considerable amount of energy for the metabolism of foods, which is known as BMR or Basal metabolism rate. So just imagine…when you add lots of vegetable nutrition in your everyday diet, in fact, you set to lose more weight than you would gain…Right!..This is the concept behind the "negative calorie foods."

How much vegetables should be in our daily diet?

Eat at least 5-7 servings of fresh vegetables every day. Federal dietary guidelines now recommends at least nine servings of vegetable nutrition and fruit nutritions per day. Seasonal vegetables should be encouraged. Bring variety in the choice of vegetables in your everyday diet. Yellow and orange color vegetables are rich in Vitamin-A, a, ß carotenes, zea-xanthins and crypto-xanthins, whereas dark-green vegetables are a good source of minerals and phenolic, flavonoid as well as anthocyanin anti-oxidants.

Selection of vegetables

Whenever possible, go for organic farm vegetables to get maximum health benefits. They are not very expensive if you can find them from the nearby local farm owners. Organic verities tend to be smaller but have rich flavor, possess some good concentration of vitamins, minerals and loaded with numerous health benefiting anti-oxidants.

• In the markets, however, always buy small quantities so that they should last within a day or two. There is no point in eating unfit greens!

• Buy vegetables that feature freshness, bright in color and flavor, and feel heavy in your hands.

• Look carefully for blemishes, spots, fungal mold and signs of insecticide spray. Buy whole vegetables instead of section of them (for example, pumpkin).

How to use vegetables?

First thing you need to do soon after shopping your choice of vegetables is to wash them thoroughly, especially green leafy vegetables. Rinse in salt water for few minutes, and gently swish in cool water until you are satisfied with cleanliness. This way, you ensure them free from dirt, sand and any residual chemical sprays. 

Use them early while fresh because, firstly, certain vegetables have very short shelf life and secondly, the health benefiting properties of a vegetable declines with time. However, if you need to store them, then place inside plastic wrappings or in zip pouches in order to preserve their nutrition for short-periods until you use them.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER STEVEN TYLER WANTS MY MILLION DOLLAR BUGATTI

Floyd Mayweather's Bugatti may get a new celebrity butt in the driver's seat cause Steven Tyler is seriously interested in buying the champ's insanely expensive whip. 

TMZ Sports spoke with RD Whittington -- co-owner of Luxury Auto Collection in Scottsdale, AZ -- who says he scored the listing for both of Floyd's Bugattis and plans to unload his white 2011 Veyron Grand Sport at the Barrett-Jackson auto show this weekend.

Floyd reportedly paid $3.5 million for the car ... and it's expected to fetch EVEN MORE at auction. 

Whittington tells us the car is getting serious interest from car enthusiasts including Tyler who happens to be selling his million dollar Hennessey Venom GT Spyder for charity at the same auction. 

We're told after Tyler unloads his car, he's already talking about swooping in on Floyd's ride. 

If you still want a Mayweather supercar, his black 2015 Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse is also for sale at the L.A.C. shop for $4.95 million.

So, why's Floyd getting rid of these beauties? Get this ... we're told his new obsession is JETS. 

[PHOTOS] Nigerian Lady Burns Down Boyfriend’s House, You Wouldn’t Believe Why

A Facebook user, Victor Ibeh, has revealed how his friend’s girlfriend burnt down her boyfriend’s house after he broke up with her because of her attitude.

He shared photos from the burnt building and wrote:

This was how my friend ended his 2016. You meet a woman, you start dating, you offer her shelter, fed her, clothed her and other things. In the process of that relationship, it occurs to you that she has character flaws that she isn’t willing to work on and she feels entitled that you must date her the way she is.

You break off the relationship and she becomes murderous. Makes an attempt on your life. When she didn’t succeed, she decides that arson is the way out. But for the goodness of neighbors a four bedroom apartment would have be burnt down.

Few weeks after, she is back pleading and expecting a makeup. How possible can that be? Who walks back into the lion’s den after an escape? Is this the same person that you would have ended up with in marriage? Why does this sound familiar? I have been there before.

I have had an experience close to this. When I tell you that evil is not gender specific, please believe me. We have seen a lot. It’s a good thing that my friend survived this.

Steven Gerrard returns to Liverpool as academy coach

Steven Gerrard will return to Liverpool as an academy coach next month, the club have announced.
The 36-year-old, who made 710 appearances for the Merseysiders and considered one of the greatest players in the club's history, will take up a full-time, wide-ranging role at the Reds' Kirkby youth complex.
After an 18-month spell in Major League Soccer with the LA Galaxy, the move marks a return to a club where Gerrard spent 17 years as a professional and graduated from the academy where he will now work.
The former Liverpool and England captain, who retired from football in November, has been a regular presence at the club's academy since ending his playing association with the Reds as he worked on his coaching badges.
"It feels like completing the circle; returning to the place where professionally it all began," Gerrard told the club's website. "However, this isn't a decision based on emotion -- it's about what I can offer and contribute to Liverpool.
"I don't think I need to explain to people what this football club means to me but when I knew coming back was a serious option I wanted to make sure it was a substantive role and a role in which I could really help the organisation.
"Meeting with [academy director] Alex Inglethorpe, seeing the work they are currently doing and want to do in the future at Kirkby, it just felt right. The right option at the right time, for all parties involved.

"This gives me a great opportunity to learn and develop as a coach, while at the same time offering my knowledge, ideas and experience to the young players at an important period of their development."
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has consistently stressed the door was always open for the former midfielder -- who turned down the chance to move into management with MK Dons in November -- to return in some capacity and Inglethorpe believes Gerrard's appointment will prove hugely beneficial for all parties concerned.
"If I was to pick one individual who embodies the characteristics and values we are looking to instil into our organisation at Kirkby it would be Steven Gerrard," said the academy director. "For him to have been so enthusiastic about being part of what we are looking to do is simply great news for everyone connected to the club.
"I don't think it would surprise anyone to know that Steven has had a host of great options, in terms of what to do next in his career, including playing, management and coaching. But it's been evident from the first meeting with him that his heart and head belongs here.
"He has shown great humility in making it clear from the outset he wants a role where he can contribute to Liverpool; it's typical of him that his priority has been defining the role so it helps the club, ahead of himself.

"He has expressed a desire to learn from us and manage a young team. The benefits to us will be immense. This is a substantial role and one which makes the academy and the club in general stronger and better."

Trump issues executive order to start rolling back Obamacare

Within hours of taking the oath of office, President Donald Trump on Friday night signed an executive order aimed at trying to fulfill one of his most impassioned campaign promises: Rolling back Obamacare.
The multi-part executive order stated that the administration's official policy is "to seek the prompt repeal" of the Affordable Care Act -- but at the same time emphasized that it must continue to uphold the law.
With his signature, Trump sent a powerful signal on Day One of his presidency: His top priority in the Oval Office will be dismantling the health care law that covers some 20 million Americans.
The order does not change the law, but could have a significant impact nonetheless.
It directs the secretary of health and human services, as well as other agencies, to interpret regulations as loosely as allowed to minimize the financial burden on individuals, insurers, health care providers and others.
It stressed that agencies can "waive, defer, grant exemptions from or delay implementation of any provision or requirement" of Obamacare that imposes a burden "to the maximum extent permitted by law."
One possible example is the individual mandate, which requires most Americans to be insured or pay a penalty unless they can prove a financial hardship. The Trump administration could try to loosen the criteria for qualifying for a hardship exemption. That way, fewer people would have to pay the penalty, which would be in line with the executive order and the call to provide relief to Americans suffering from the Obamacare's high costs.
"This will set the gears of the bureaucracy moving in a very different direction," said Larry Levitt, senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. "Many of the changes envisioned in this order will take time to implement, but it signals a clear direction."
In keeping with longstanding Republican beliefs, the order also looks to give states more flexibility and control over their health care markets and to allow insurers to offer policies across state lines.
All of these actions will start to shift the nation's health care rules toward Republican ideas. And it will allow the Trump administration to chip away at the law going forward.
However, little can be done until a health secretary -- and other key HHS officials -- are in place to work on changing those guidance and regulations. Trump's choice to lead HHS, Tom Price, faces the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.
An HHS spokesman said the agency will not release a statement on Friday.
Much of Obamacare has already been set in regulation, which a president does not have the power to nullify and which can take months or even a year or two to change.
Why GOP governors like Medicaid under Obamacare
Also, Trump and other Republican leaders have repeatedly said they want a "smooth transition" to a GOP plan so that millions of Americans will not suddenly lose coverage.
"He has been told that he needs to comply with the law," said Timothy Jost, an emeritus professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law, "but is directing the agencies to begin taking steps towards reducing regulatory requirements and giving more discretion to the states. It's going to take time."
Even as they repeal Obamacare, Republicans still have to fund it
Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are working to actually repeal major sections of the law -- including the individual mandate, subsidies and penalties -- but they remain divided over when and how to replace Obamacare. Conscious that millions of Americans are worried about losing their coverage, lawmakers have repeatedly said that their plan will give people more access to more affordable plans.
Trump has also said he is nearly done working on a replacement proposal. Republican leaders in Congress, however, have said they have not been consulted.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus also sent out a memo to all government agencies and departments calling for a regulatory freeze.
source:cnn

Director arrested for inserting electric heater into son’s anus for allegedly being gay

A Director of Planning in one of the juicy ministries in Borno State, (names withheld) has been arrested by the state Police Command for allegedly inserting electric heater into the anus of his 10-year old son over the allegation of engaging in homosexual activities.



The top civil servant was said to have perpetrated the act upon hearing that his son performed the act with some politicians. While the boy, names withheld, had claimed to have been raped at their 1000 Government Housing Estate residence, the father was said to have dismissed his story leading to the inflicting of the bodily injuries. Saturday Vanguard learnt that the victim was chained before his father, who was accused of denying his children western education carried out the act.


It was further gathered that the civil servant recently chained one of his daughters named Mama for insulting her stepmother in the estate. A top government official, who pleaded anonymity, said the director had been arrested. Efforts to confirm the incident from the Police Public Relations Officer of Borno State Command, Mr. Victor Isuku proved abortive. However, some residents told Saturday Vanguard that the estate was recording growing rate of homosexual activities.

Pep Guardiola: Maybe I am not good enough for Manchester City players

MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola has defended the quality of Manchester City's players and questioned whether he is a good enough coach for them.
The City boss has all-but ruled his side out of the Premier League title race ahead of Saturday's clash with second-placed Tottenham Hotspur who are three points clear of his side.

City came in for plenty of criticism following their 4-0 defeat to Everton last Sunday but Guardiola said it was disrespectful to say his current squad isn't what he has been used to with previous clubs Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
"They are good players. I have respect for the guys, so why would I say the guys are not good?" he told a news conference.
"I don't understand the lack of respect for the professionals when they have amazing players and they are not good enough for me. Maybe I am not good enough for them.
"They are Manchester City players, top players, they have a lot of quality. They showed that many times in the past and this season. I like to work with them and I want to help them and I am going to until my last day here and I want to stay as long as possible more than ever.

"When you say that it is that they don't have the same quality as Bayern Munich and Barcelona and that teams when they play good they play good.
"The times we play good the passing was much quicker than both teams, but we are not consistent. We win three games and we arrive at the fourth game and we are not sure if we are going to win and that is a big problem."
Guardiola also said that making regular changes to his defence could have made it difficult for goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to settle into the first team.
The Chilean No. 1 has come in for fierce criticism after the defeat at Goodison Park where the four goals were the only four shots that Everton had on target.
Asked if defensive changes could have contributed to Bravo's struggles, Guardiola said: "Maybe, maybe. Yeah, maybe.
"[I take] all the responsibility as a manager. You have to accept what happens right now about my job, of course, I'm willing to accept that.
"In the first moment I reacted like 'Ahhhh it's a pity,' the second time I looked at myself, and what I want from my players, to let them know individually what they can do better. So always five minutes after the game finishes I say what can I do to get the team better.

"I never in my life blame bad results [on the players], the reason why, I don't do it, I never do, say the reason why we lost is because of Claudio Bravo. It's one of the reasons why, but there are many many other reasons why."

Trump becomes 45th President of the United States

Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States on Friday, vowing to drain power from Washington elites and always put "America first" in its dealings with the world at a moment of transformative political change.

He arrived at the White House for the first time as President just before 5 p.m. ET following a day of tradition marking the power shift in the nation's capital.

In a time-honored ceremony on the flag-draped West Front of the Capitol earlier in the afternoon, Trump placed his left hand on a family Bible and another that belonged to Abraham Lincoln and promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. As light rain began to fall on a crowd stretching toward the Washington Monument, Trump took the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts with the new first lady, Melania, by his side.

President Trump signs first bill into law

Trump's inaugural address centered on the themes that animated his stunning outsider campaign, which shattered political conventions and gave voice to heartland voters who felt badly let down by professional politicians.

Though he paid tribute to outgoing President Barack Obama, the President sketched a vision of America that came across as a repudiation of the last administration. He promised to restore the nation's strength and purpose and to rebuild it from within, vowing to "bring back" American jobs, borders, wealth and dreams.

"We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, and in every foreign capital and in every hall of power," Trump said. "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward, it's going to be only 'America first! America first!'"

Trump: 'You will never be ignored again'

Trump talked of a nation of mothers and children trapped in poverty in the inner cities and "rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones," and warned crime and gangs had robbed the nation of much of its potential.

Trump's full speech

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," Trump said, with Obama looking on.

"A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights and heal our divisions," Trump said, emphasizing that whether people are black or white they still bleed the same red blood of patriots.

And he told Americans listening to the address: "You will never be ignored again."

Former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony. Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in the November election, was in the audience in a show of support for national unity and the peaceful transfer of presidential authority.

But, contrary to some expectations, Trump made no gesture of reconciliation toward Clinton or her supporters following the deeply divisive campaign in which he won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote. He later recognized her during a congressional lunch, when she received a standing ovation.

"I was very honored, very, very honored when I heard that President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton was coming today, I think it is appropriate to say it," Trump said. "Honestly, there is nothing more I can say because I have a lot of respect for those two people."

Many traditions

The swearing-in was one of many traditions that began Friday morning. Trump and his family attended a private worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the church of presidents. The Obamas greeted Trump and the new first lady at the North Portico of the White House before hosting them for tea.

Earlier in the morning, Obama wrote a letter to Trump and left it on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, as outgoing presidents typically do for their successors. As Obama left the Oval Office for the final time, he was asked whether he had any words for the American people. "Thank you," Obama responded.
source:http://edition.cnn.com/2017/01/20/politics/donald-trump-inauguration-highlights/index.html

Man United overtake Real Madrid, Barcelona in Deloitte Money League

Manchester United are back on top of the Deloitte Football Money League for the first time since 2005 but the pound's fall against the euro means they may struggle to beat Barcelona and Real Madrid again next year.

Now in its 20th year, the Deloitte study ranks the world's richest football teams by turnover during the 2015-16 season and this year's top three of United, Barcelona and Real is the same as the first edition in 1997.

Real, who had topped the list for 11 years, were beaten to second place by their La Liga rivals by just €100,000.

United, on the other hand, have surged ahead of the pack, becoming the first football team to earn more than £500 million in a season -- the club's total revenue of £515m is almost £50m more than Barcelona and Real generated.

The report's author Tim Bridge told PA Sport: "You can't really look past Manchester United returning to the top spot and it is because of their ability to make commercial deals that are way ahead of their peers.''

Citing United's record-breaking kit and sponsorship deals with Adidas and Chevrolet, Bridge said Europe's other super clubs are now using the Old Trafford outfit as a benchmark in their own negotiations with commercial partners.

United's 2015-16 earnings were also boosted by a return to the Champions League, which meant more broadcasting and matchday revenue.

But they were not the only Manchester club to enjoy off-field success as City climbed to fifth in the money table. Thanks to their growing commercial strength and run to the Champions League semifinals, they earned £393m.



One spot higher than City in fourth are Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, who bring in double what closest domestic rival Borussia Dortmund (11th) earn. French champions Paris Saint-Germain fell two places to sixth.

The next three places are filled by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, non-movers but all setting new club records for revenue.

Spurs are the next best-placed English outfit in 12th, on £209m, with West Ham and Premier League champions Leicester new entrants in the table at 18th and 20th, respectively.

Juventus heads the list of four Italian teams, in 10th place on €224.5m, followed by AS Roma (15th at €218.2m), AC Milan (16th at €214.7m) and Inter Milan (19th at €179.2m).

The fact they Leicester and West Ham sandwich the once-mighty Inter Milan in is testament to the Premier League's financial muscle and Serie A's decline. The Milan club are one of 10 ever-presents in the top 20 since 1997, but are projected to fall out of the rich list for the first time next year.

A large reason for that will be the arrival of several more Premier League clubs buoyed by the first year of the new domestic TV deal in 2016-17 -- a source of income that has caused alarm around Europe, particularly as it is immune to the vagaries of the foreign exchange market.

This year's report sees eight English clubs in the top 20, matching a record achieved nine times before, and 12 in the top 30, which is actually a sharp fall from last year's 17.

Bridge puts this down to strong commercial performances from clubs such as Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Lyon, and Spain's more equitable television deal helping the likes of Atletico Madrid. But he believes the Premier League's broadcasting millions will see as many as 16 English teams in the top 30 next year.

This, however, is not the dominance some have predicted for the Premier League and Bridge said the uncertainties of the post-Brexit vote era could also hinder English sides' earning power.

Deloitte based this report's figures on an average exchange of £1 = €1.33.7, but the current inter-bank rate is £1 = €1.15.

"Despite the Premier League's new TV deal, I think next year's list will be a tight, three-way scrap between United, Real and Barca,'' said Bridge.

Leicester's strong run in the Champions League could see them climb into the top 15 next season, particularly if they can get past Sevilla in the round of 16 this year.

The overwhelming message from the report, though, is that Europe's elite clubs are separating themselves from the field, a trend recognised by last week's financial update from UEFA.

In the foreword to that report, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said the governing body must take note of the "increasing concentration of sponsorship and commercial revenue among a handful of clubs."

This can also be seen in the Deloitte study, with Manchester United's turnover in 2015-16 being four times greater than Leicester's. The multiple from 20th to first in 1997 was closer to three.



And looking further ahead and afield, the only possible non-European candidates for the top 20 in 2030 are most likely to come from China, although their richest clubs now only earn a tenth of what Bayern presently make.

Breaking: ECOWAS force ECOMIG begins naval blockade, air reconnaissance of The Gambia

Tension has mounted even higher as the ECOWAS force, ECOMIG, have now embarked on a Naval blockade and air reconnaissance of The Gambia, following the defiance by the embattled outgoing president, Yahaya Jammeh, to step down for the President-elect, Adama Barrow.


Nigerian Air force Charlie-130 Aircraft and Airmen QRF of ECOMIG at the Senegalese Senghor airport today. pic.twitter.com/nU629fjqMp

— Edward (@DonKlericuzio) 19 January 2017

Also, Senegalese ground trucks and other ECOWAS forces have mounted at the border between Senegal and Gambia in readiness to launch a military assault on Jammeh’s government in a move to oust him as it has become clear a peaceful resolution has been to no avail.

A private military contractor(Humint), Naval Intelligence and Counter Terrorism/Insurgency personnel with a twitter handle, @DonKlericuzio, tweeted to this fact.

However, as many in Jammeh’s government have continued to withdraw their support for him, the Gambian Navy led by Rear Admiral Sarjo Fofana, have also abandoned Jammeh while pledging to pass allegiance to Adama Barrow after swearing-in.


The ECOWAS force ECOMIG have now embark on a Naval blockade & air reconnaissance of The Gambia

Recall that both the country’s Vice President, Isatou Njie Saidy, the army led by its chief, Ousman Badjie and a lot of others have also abandoned Jammeh for his refusal to step down for Barrow.

Saidy, who had been in the role since 1997, is the highest level official to abandon Jammeh’s camp in his standoff with opposition leader Adama Barrow, who won the election.

Unconfirmed reports said that as tension continued to mount, the wife and children of the outgoing Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh allegedly abandoned him and have equally fled the country’s capital of Banjul on the eve of the deadline given Jammeh by the ECOWAS and the African Union to step down.

The Senegalese Government gave Jammeh till midnight of 18th January, 2017 to vacate presidency seat or he would be ousted militarily. This order was backed by both the ECOWAS bloc and the UN.

However, many hours after the elapse of the deadline, Jammeh has stayed put, undeterred by the mounting troops from the West african bloc at the Gambian border who are ready to militarily oust him from power.

After eating dinner in a tourist district close to the capital, Banjul, the army chief added, “I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men,” he added, stopping to pose for selfies with admirers while dressed in fatigues, beret and green t-shirt, according to those present.

“We are not going to involve ourselves militarily. This is a political dispute…I am not going to involve my soldiers in a stupid fight. I love my men. “If they (Senegalese) come in, we are here like this,” Badjie said, making a hands up to surrender gesture.

Also, thousands of Gambians and tourists have equally fled the country in droves. Bus parks were scenes of chaos as people boarded buses, packing suitcases onto trucks and hiring canoes to flee the capital of Banjul.

The Banjul airport was also chaotic as many people struggled to board planes to fly out of the countr

Meanwhile, the President-elect, Adama Barrow has declared that Jammeh’s presidency is officially over.

Barrow who took to his twitter handle to also announce that his inauguration will proceed by 4pm in The Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, the neighbouring country where he sought sojourn also told his people that a new era had begun for The Gambia and its citizens.

NYSC BATCH B STREAM II:Printing of Call Up Letter Begins Today

All prospective corp members of batch B Stream II 2016 have been directed to start printing their call up letter starting from Thursday January, 2017.
All prospective members is expected to log in to the official NYSC portal www.nysc.gov.ng.
click on the link below:
http://nysc.gov.ng/mob-timetable/2016/2016b.php