Ian Wright speaks on Wenger's decision to leave Arsenal

Ex Arsenal superstar Ian Wright has claimed that Frenchman Arsene Wenger was sacked at the Emirates Stadium thereby rubbishing the initial reports of Wenger's decision to leave the club.

On Friday afternoon, April 20, Arsene Wenger announced that he will leave his position as handler of Arsenal at the end of the season after 22 years in charge.

This season, Arsenal have struggled in the Premier League this campaign and face a second season of finishing outside of the top four.

Wright who won the EPL title during Arsene Wenger's early years at Arsenal believes the club took the decision to end his long stay.

"Arsene Wenger is a man of principle, honesty and integrity and that is why I am convinced he has been sacked and not resigned.

"For all the vitriol and abuse thrown at him, Arsene has never been a man to walk out before the end of a contract.

"It is a sad situation that it's come to this and I don't suppose we will ever find out who is responsible, because they will hide behind each other.

"One day he is doing a press conference with no hint of this, the next he's gone. It doesn't add up.

"But Arsene can go with his head high. That's why, whatever the results, it is imperative he gets the send-off a true Arsenal and football legend deserves. We all owe him so much." Wright told the Sun.

In another related development, the UK Sun has reported that Arsenal paid Arsene Wenger £11 million to stand down at the end of the season.

Wenger did not want to leave the club he loves, so the Gunners were forced to pay the final year of his salary in full.

Arsenal are in the semi final of the English FA Cup, and Arsenal players will want to win the title this season for them to give Wenger a good farewell.

Already, Luis Enrique and ex Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira are among the candidates lined up as replacement for 68-year-old Wenger.

KADSIECOM building gutted by fire in Kaduna

The head office of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) has been gutted by fire.

The incident is coming exactly 20 days to the local government election in the state scheduled for Saturday, May 12.

The fire was said to have started around 10am this morning at the top floor of the building was seen in flames.

KADSIECOM building on fire in Kaduna. Photo source: Twitter

Eye witnesses say fire fighters have been battling to put out the inferno as trucks of the state’s fire fighting unit responded to a distress call late.

Security operatives were seen on ground controlling the crowd that converged at the scene to catch a glimpse of the incident.

The cause of the fire is still unknown as at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, Kaduna state governor has threatened to take one Steven Kefas to court, after the man alleged that the governor is responsible for the outbreak on his Twitter page.

Mace theft: Names of arrested 5 suspects emerge

The suspects were allegedly led into the Senate by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as a protest against his suspension.

The five suspects who are all from Delta state are:

Tuoyo Mabiaku – Warri North Local Government Area

Peter Orede – Warri South LGA

Blessing Edjeke from Abraka In Ethiope East LGA

Lucky Okomu from Oghara in Ethiope West LGA

Prince Enayemo – Ughelli South LGA

The protesters stormed the Senate chamber on Wednesday, April 18, and stole the mace. The protesters are supporters of a suspended senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.

They left the National Assembly with the mace in a black SUV. The mace is the symbol of authority of the parliament.

A security personnel at the entrance of the National Assembly, said he was told by the protesters they were officers with the senator.

Omo- Agege was later arrested by Abuja police at the Senate premises. He was whisked away in a black hilux van at about 1:54pm.

In a statement the Senate spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger, APC), described the action of the protesters as an act of treason and called for police action.

OAU suspends Professor Akindele indefinitely over demand for sex

The authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife has reportedly suspended Professor Richard Akindele indefinitely for allegedly demanding for sex from a student.

The decision was taken by the committee set up by the institution to look into the issue on Wednesday, April 18.

A telephone conversation between the professor and a student was leaked where the lecturer asked the female student for sex before he would upgrade her result from 33.

The member of the committee claimed the student was a postgraduate student doing her Masters in Business Administration but that while she has not appeared before the committee yet, the lecturer has.

He said: "'The committee recommended the indefinite suspension of the professor pending the time the final report will be ready. The committee established a prima facie case against the professor. But note that this is the interim report of the committee.

“The committee invited the professor and the female student. We identified the student and invited her, but she did not appear. Only the professor honoured our invitation. I don’t want to tell you what he said on the telephone.”

Vice chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, said that the institution may involve the police to verify a telephone conversation involving one of the varsity's professors, Richard Akindele, who was accused of demanding sex from a female student in exchange for mark.

The VC stated this while speaking to newsmen in Osogbo on Sunday, April 15. He said that the case had not been reported to the police by the university, but it might involve them to get to the root of the matter if investigation runs into a hitch.

Win 2018 FIFA World Cup Get $24m Pinnick Promises Super Eagles

Amaju Pinnick, who is the head of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has reportedly revealed that the Super Eagles will pocket massive $24 million if they win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

In history, and since the commencement of the FIFA World Cup championship, Nigeria have never won the title and have never even gotten to the last eight of the tournament.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick has now urged the Super Eagles to soar and make the country proud in Russia this year.

The former Delta state FA boss was said to have told reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, April 18, that the football house and the players have agreed on what they will collect for the outing in Russia.

“I don’t put players under pressure. Pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them.

“If for example we don’t have money to prepare them, they can relax but now, we have given them everything upfront and they should deliver.

“If today they get to the final, the World Cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team.

“Winning the final is 48 million dollars, it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars,” Pinnick said.

Meanwhile, the 2018 FIFA World Cup will start on June 14 in Russia, and the championship will come to an end on July 15.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are in Group D where they will face Argentina, Iceland, and Croatia for a place in the knock out stages.

Germany are the reigning World Cup holders after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final of the 2014 edition held in Brazil.

ECOWAS to convene critical meeting on herdsmen crisis

The 15-member countries of the ECOWAS would converge in Abuja on April 26 to begin deliberation on the violent clashes between farmers and herders across the sub-region, NAN reports.

The meeting which would be opened by President Muhammadu Buhari was designed to finding permanent solutions to the persistent farmers-herders clashes in Nigeria and beyond.

The minister of interior, retired Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, said after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja that the conference was initially planned for last February.

”This is why, for instance, we initiated the conference that is to come up between April 26 and 29 under the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Goods and Services.

“The conference would focus particularly on the protocol on the movement of trans-humans which was signed in 1978 but yet to be implemented.

“I had meetings with the president, ECOWAS Commission, the one that left, and we agreed to have this conference sometime last month. But because they were leaving and a new set of management was coming in, it was shifted to toward the end of this month.

”So, the whole idea is to look at this issue of movements across borders.

”So, this month, on April 26, God willing, we are going to have this conference and Mr President has graciously agreed to open the conference,’’ he said

He said the conference, which would also attract participants from the Central African Republic, Chad, Cameroon, Morocco and Mauritania would explore the relationship between the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and trans-border criminal activities.

 Perviously the federal government stated that a solution to the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers across several states, which has led to the death of numerous individuals, it would focus on establishing cattle ranches.

The disclosure was made by the minister of interior, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Danbazau (Retd), at the stakeholders’ dialogue on the eradication of herders-farmers conflict in Nigeria which took place in Abuja on Wednesday, April 18.

The minister also stated that another measure put in place by the government to tackle the issue is the establishment of Agro Rangers.

Man who cut out woman's heart and left burned body in children's pool jailed for life

Image:Jacqueline Vandagriff met Bryant at a bar. Pic: Facebook/Tarrant Couple.A fitness instructor has been jailed for life for the death of a student who was found desmembered, burned and with her heart cut out.

The argument put forward by Charles Dean Bryant's lawyer - that he panicked only after Jacqueline Vandagriff died during consensual sex - was thrown out by a Texas jury after less than three hours of deliberations.

He received the maximum penalty allowed for the murder of the 24-year-old, whose mutilated body was found in a plastic children's swimming pool on 14 September 2016.

The 31-year-old was also found guilty of tampering with evidence and received a further 20-year jail term, which will run concurrently with his life sentence.

Glynis McGinty, defending, argued that Ms Vandagriff died in an accident while having consensual sex, during which a plastic tie was placed around her neck, causing asphyxiation.

Image:The student was found dead in a children's pool. Pic: Facebook/Jackie Vandagriff

However, prosecutors hit back and said there was no evidence the pair had sex after they met at a bar on 13 September 2016.

Ms McGinty said Bryant had panicked and disposed of the victim's body but did not commit murder.However, prosecution lawyer Lucas Allan told jurors that the man did not "freak out" because Ms Vandagriff had died but that he deliberately killed her and dismembered her body while removing her heart.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, he told the court: "Why cut out the heart? What does it have to do with disposing of a body? He cut her heart out.

"I want that image to sink in."

Ms Vandagriff's purse was later found in the rubbish at Bryant's home.

Investigators later found out that an ex-girlfriend had a protective order against him for allegedly stalking and harassing her.

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TV presenter Dale Winton has died aged 62, agent confirms

Image:Dale Winton has died aged 62By David Mercer, News Reporter

TV host Dale Winton has died at the age of 62, the star's agent has said.

The presenter was best known for hosting ITV game show Supermarket Sweep from 1993 to 2000.

He also presented the National Lottery game show In It To Win It and BBC series Hole In The Wall.

Winton's long-term agent Jan Kennedy confirmed the star had died at his home on Wednesday.

Video:Dale Winton in Supermarket Sweep

"It is with great sadness that we can confirm the passing of Dale Winton who died at home earlier today," she said.

"While we know many will share this terrible loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time of grief."

Following news of Winton's death, tributes poured in from the world of entertainment.

:: 'A sweet man': Stars pay tribute to Dale Winton

Image:He was also known for presenting the National Lottery shows

Presenter Davina McCall said: "I am so so so sad to hear about Dale Winton, a lovely, warm, kind, sensitive, generous soul with a touch of naughty! RIP."

Chat show host Graham Norton wrote on Twitter: "Dale Winton gave me the best bit of showbiz advice I ever got - don't quit the hit! Thank you Dale."

Theatre star Michael Ball said: "So sad to hear that the true gentleman, the charming and so kind Dale Winton has been taken from us far to soon. RIP lovely man."Presenter Jonathan Ross said: "Dale Winton was a real sweetheart. Lovely man. Sad to hear the news."

Comedian David Walliams, who starred with Winton in the BBC comedy series Come Fly With Me, said he was "heartbroken" by the star's death.Meanwhile, singer Boy George said he was "shocked", describing Winton as a "sweet man".

Image:Dale Winton and David Walliams at Matt Lucas' civil partnership

Born in Marylebone, London, in May 1955, Winton began his career as a DJ and presented shows on Radio Trent in Nottingham before leaving the station in 1985.

He launched his TV career two years later, working for Channel 4, the Lifestyle Channel and ITV.

But it was in the 1990s that Winton became a household name, hosting daytime quiz show Dale's Supermarket Sweep.

His other shows included Pets Win Prizes, Touch The Truck, Celebrity Fit Club and most recently, Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive on Channel 5.

Image:Dale Winton on Loose Women in 2016

Winton, who came out as gay in his 2002 autobiography, spoke about his battle with depression in 2016 after a spell out of the limelight.

Appearing on ITV chat show Loose Women, Winton said: "I did not want to put one foot in front of the other outside the house.

"I would not leave the house. Five years I went through it. I wanted to withdraw."

Winton's parents Gary and Sheree, an actress, divorced when he was 10 and his father died three years later on Winton's bar mitzvah.

Winton's mother died following an overdose just days after after he turned 21.

The remaining episodes of Dale Winton's Florida Fly Drive were due to air on Channel 5 in June after they were postponed in the wake of the Florida school shooting.

 

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El-Rufai sacks 4,562 newly-recruited teachers

Kaduna state government on Wednesday, April 18, announced the dismissal of 4,562 newly-recruited teachers a few weeks after they were recruited because they could not correctly write acceptance letters.

Ja’afaru Sani, the state commissioner for education, who made this at a briefing, explained that the newly-recruited teachers were sacked because they found their ways into the service of state government through dubious means.

The state government had sacked 22,000 teachers that failed competency test based on questions meant for primary four pupils and announced that it will replace them with competent teachers, based on a competitive recruitment exercise.

Sacked, again however, at the end of the exercise, some of the teachers could not correctly write acceptance letters, forcing the state government, according to the commissioner, to organise another screening for all the newly-recruited teachers.

Sani said: ''At the end, 4,562 incompetent ones, believed to have found their way into the final list illegally, were fished out, leaving 11,335 competent ones.

''The 11,335 newly-recruited teachers, predominantly degree holders, including a few with Master’s degrees, have already been deployed to over 4,000 primary schools.

''This was after they had undergone vigorous induction training, along with the remaining old teachers, to equip them with modern teaching techniques and effective classroom management.

''We are hoping that between now and next month ending, we will be concluding the recruitment process of the balance of 13,665 teachers.''

''Smart teaching tools the commissioner added that “we want to equip our students with the information and communication technology skills to enable them compete favourably in the current technology-driven world. 

The commissioner said to achieve technology-based teaching, the state was distributing tablet computers to teachers and students, as well as installing smart boards in schools.

Sani noted that the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had concluded the recruitment of 11,335 teachers out of the 25,000 vacancy it earlier advertised; about 40,000 applicants sat for the recruitment examination, out of which 27,639 were invited for oral interview.

He added that 15,897 of the applicants were successful, but subjected to further screening to fish out those allegedly smuggled into the list.

Sani added that the applications for the remaining balance of 13,665 are already being received, adding that the process will commence once approval is granted by Governor Nasir el-Rufai. 

Earlier Governor Nasir El-Rufai said about 21,780 out of 33,000 teachers failed the primary four test administered to test their competence by the state government.

Governor el-Rufai made this known on Monday, October 9, while receiving a World Bank’s delegation in the state.

He said: ''We tested our 33,000 primary school teachers, we gave them primary four examination and required they must get at least 75 per cent but I am sad to announce that 66 per cent of them failed to get the requirements.''

Klopp reveals he told his players to train naked for City UCL clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly revealed he told his players to prepare undressed for their Manchester City crunchy Champions League clash at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month.

The Reds won the first leg of their fixture 3-1 going into the second leg of the remainder of their quarterfinal clash high spirits thanks to Mo Salah's incredible form.

However, the former Borussia Dortmund tactician said jokingly to the rest of his players to go out naked, saying nobody would notice if they were naked as everybody would looking at the Egyptian sensation.

Klopp quipped: “It is a really good group and, with Mo, everyone really likes the hype around him, all the boys.

“When we came out for the Champions League training before Man City, I said, ‘Come on everybody, let’s go out naked because no one will realise — they are just looking at Mo.’

“Now we go to Rome. I don’t think the hype will be a little bit less. But it is all okay.

“The boys created the atmosphere in the group. In a successful team, there is always a good ­atmosphere. Other teams can have very good ­players, but no group.”

Having inspired his side to a 3-1 win in the first half of the championship, Salah scored the goal that ended any chance of a City comeback at the Etihad after the Reds blew away their rivals.

Meanwhile, this year’s Player of the Year nominee claims his breathtaking season is down to a desire to prove Chelsea wrong.

The Egyptian was bundled out on loan to Fiorentina just one season after joining Chelsea from FC Basel in 2014 before finally settling down at AS Roma.

He told Sky Sports: "I know from the first day I wanted to do something different, something special. I was here with Chelsea, didn't get my chance, and then came back. I wanted to show everyone my football.

"I didn't play. You can see by the numbers. I didn't have my chance, but you can see when I did get my chance I proved some people wrong.

"Because in my mind I have to succeed here, when I left the Premier League I said I'd come back, and when I had the chance, I came.

"You can see the difference [in me] between now, a year before, two years before that. Every year, every day, every month I am proving myself.

"I always try to see my weakness, work on it, to be better as a person and a player, everything."

Liverpool will face AS Roma in the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League encounter next week, and a win for them will put them in a position to win their first UCL title in over a decade.

They last won the title in 2005 and they will stand a chance to win their sixth this summer.

Patrick Vieira May Replace Arsene Wenger Next Season

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been tipped to replace the Gunners' current handler Arsene Wenger at the end of the ongoing Premier League season.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has one more year left on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, but there are reports that the Frenchman could walk away this summer.

This season, the former Monaco boss has been badly criticized by Arsenal fans who were livid with the Gunners' performance in the Premier League.

But Arsenal still have a chance of winning a title this term as they are in the Europa League last 4, and winning it will give them the chance to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Patrick Vieira was Wenger's very first signing back in 1996, joining from AC Milan for £3.5m and won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time in north London.

And 13 years after leaving the club, Patrick Vieira has been tipped as candidate to replace his fellow countryman Arsene Wenger at the Emirates according to the Daily Mail.

The report added that Arsene Wenger will not be sacked considering his relationship with Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, meaning it would require Wenger himself to choose to walk away.

Earlier.Arsenal are reportedly lining up Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti as a replacement for embattled manager Arsene Wenger who could leave at the end of the season.

Despite heavy criticism from millions of Arsenal fans, the Frenchman signed a two-year extension last summer, but their are worries among the board he may cut his contract short.

The former Bayern Munich boss Ancelotti ticks the boxes for being able to take the club forward if Wenger leaves.

Breaking: Senator Ovie Omo- Agege arrested

Reports reaching Transview magazine is that suspended senator, Ovie Omo- Agege has been arrested by Abuja police at the Senate premises after he led a team of thugs to invade the Nigerian Senate.

The incident which became violent saw the thugs drive away with the Senate Mace, which is the symbol of authority of the national assembly.

The thugs reportedly barged into the Chamber of the Senate, during plenary, pushed away the Sergeant-at-Arms positioned at the entrance and carted away the mace.

Senator Ovie Omo- Agege being escorted out of the Senate premises by the police. Credit: Senate Press Corps

Mr Omo-Agege was whisked away in a black hilux van at about 1:54pm.

The Senate suspended Ovie Omo-Agege, an All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator from Delta state, for 90 legislative days.

The upper legislative chamber took the decision after it considered a report by its ethics committee, The Cable reports.

The thugs reportedly barged into the Chamber of the Senate, during plenary. Credit: Senate Press Corps

The committee had recommended that the senator be suspended for 181 days but the senate reduced it after pleas from lawmakers. Omo-Agege was one of the senators who kicked against the election reordering bill.

Although, he apologised for his stand he still went to the court to get a restraining order against any move by the senate to suspend him.

Breaking: Senate demands return of mace in 24 hours after thugs invade National Assembly

The joint session of National Assembly has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to ensure the return of the Senate's mace within twenty-four hours.

Transview magazine reported that the protesters today Wednesday, April 18, stormed the Senate chamber and stole the mace. The alleged thugs were supporters of a suspended senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.

The thugs left the National Assembly with the mace in a black SUV. The mace is the symbol of authority in the parliament.

A security personnel at the entrance of the National Assembly, said he was told by the protesters they were officers with the senator.

“We tired to stop them but they told us they were with him (Omo-Agege),” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/NgrSenate/videos/1680375505351118/

The Senate spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, in a statement issued after the incident, said that the Senate resumed plenary about 15 minutes after coming out of an executive (closed door) session where the earlier incident of forceful removal of the mace was deliberated upon.

He said: "The Senate has resumed plenary about 15 minutes ago after coming out of an executive (closed door) session where the earlier incident of forceful removal of the mace was deliberated upon.

The hoodlums while trying to steal the Senate's mace. Credit: Sumner Shagari Sambo

"The session is holding with the mace, the official symbol of authority firmly in place, and deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, presiding.

"The Senate also decided that it will get to the roots of this sad assault on democracy and an obvious act of treason which the seizure of the mace by some armed hoodlums represents.

"The Senate has mandated the Inspector General of Police, Idris Kpotum Ibrahim and Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Mallam Lawan Daura, to retrieve the mace stolen by the hoodlums within 24 hours.

"At the moment, some House of Representatives members led by deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, are in the Senate chambers in solidarity visits. The session is presently live on NTA Channel 10.

Meanwhile thugs stormed the Senate chamber on Wednesday, April 18, and stole the mace. The protesters are supporters of a suspended senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.

Protesters storm Nigerian Senate, steal mace

Protesters have stormed the Senate chamber on Wednesday, April 18, and stole the mace. The protesters are supporters of a suspended senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.

They left the National Assembly with the mace in a black SUV. The mace is the symbol of authority of the parliament.

The maze is the symbol of authority in the parliament. Credit: Sumner Shagari Sambo

A security personnel at the entrance of the National Assembly, said he was told by the protesters they were officers with the senator.

“We tried to stop them but they told us they were with him (Omo-Agege),” he said.

https://www.facebook.com/NgrSenate/videos/1680319392023396/?q=nigerian%20senate

Mr Omo-Agege was suspended for accusing his colleagues of working against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The moment the mace was stolen can be watched from 21st minutes of the video.

NAN reports that the men barged into the Chamber of the Senate, during plenary, pushed away the Sergeant-at-Arms positioned at the entrance and carted away the mace.

It is unclear if the men have succeeded in leaving the National Assembly complex but at the time of this report, the mace has been taken away from the chamber.

The drama coincided with the protest at the National Assembly against the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, APC- Delta Central.

Yusuph Olaniyonu, the media adviser to Senate president said on a WhatsApp forum that an official statement will soon be issue.

Meanwhile the Chief Whip of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, described a comment credited to him over ongoing electoral reforms as ‘misunderstood’.

It was reported that Doguwa allegedly said the amendment of the electoral act was a mischievous plan targeted at the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari.