President Muhammadu Buhari received the FIFA World Cup trophy at the State House ahead of the 2018 Football World Cup.
The president received the trophy on Wednesday, March 7.
President Buhari with the World Cup trophy. Credit: Facebook
President Buhari, Professor Yemi Osinbajo with the the Nigerian bobsleigh team. Credit: Facebook
He also received the CHAN Super Eagles Team and Bobsleigh Winter Olympic Team.
Also present were vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo minister of sports Solomon Dalung, FIFA representative France Christian Karembeu, president Coca-Cola West Africa Mr Peter Njonjo and chairman House committee on sports Hon. Godfrey Gaiya.
The most coveted prize in football landed in the country in a fully branded Coca Cola aircraft on Wednesday afternoon after making a quick two-day stop in Uganda.
Image:Boris Johnson told MPs the Government will have to 'consider' its approach to the tournamentuBy Gre Heffer, Political Reporter
Boris Johnson has been criticised as "pathetic" over his response to the apparent poisoning of a former Russian spy, after he appeared to suggest England could pull out of this summer's World Cup.
The Foreign Secretary told MPs on Tuesday it is "very difficult to imagine how UK representation at that event could go ahead in the normal way", if there is shown to be state responsibility around Sergei Skripal and his daughter who were found unconscious in a shopping centre in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on Monday.
Mr Skripal, 66, and 33-year-old Yulia are being treated in intensive care after being discovered slumped on a bench following suspected exposure to an unknown substance.
Image:Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia are in a critical condition
Answering an urgent question in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson revealed the UK Government "will certainly have to consider" their approach to the World Cup, if "things turn out as many Members on both sides of this House suspect they will".
The Foreign Secretary's comments prompted a belief he was suggesting the England football team may not travel to Russia in 100 days time.
However, it was later clarified Mr Johnson was referring to the possibility that officials, dignitaries and ministers may not attend the World Cup, not that England would boycott the tournament.
Former England defender and assistant manager Gary Neville branded Mr Johnson a "useless fool", asking on Twitter: "Why bring football into it?"
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry suggested "it really would save a lot of time and hassle if Boris preceded every Commons appearance, media interview and memo by saying 'please take none of this seriously until my aides have confirmed if I meant to say it'."
Fellow Labour MP Toby Perkins, whose question in the House of Commons about Russia's role on the UN Security Council prompted Mr Johnson's comments, told Sky News the muddle caused by the Foreign Secretary was "incredible".
"It would be insane if he's just speaking off the top of his head and raising this major sort of storm over something that he hasn't properly thought through," Mr Perkins said.
"But, if what he's actually saying is that our potential response to a British citizen being murdered is to say we're going to not eat a few prawn sandwiches with dignitaries before the game, then that's a really pathetic response.
"I think there's a lot of frustration in Parliament that the Foreign Secretary appears to have such big rhetoric and so little action when it comes to Russia.
"And the confusion that's being created over the World Cup is just adding to that anger."
Mr Perkins added the "entire international community" should have been pressuring World Cup organisers FIFA to move the tournament out of Russia as far back as two years ago, in order to recognise the country "as a pariah state".
He called on Mr Johnson to bring forward a "serious programme of sanctions" on Russia.
Earlier, Mr Johnson had noted "echoes" of the death of Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 in the Skripal case.
He told MPs: "Although it would be wrong to prejudge the investigation, I can reassure the House that, should evidence emerge that implies state responsibility, Her Majesty's Government will respond appropriately and robustly."
A group of northern youths, Turaki Vanguard Youths and Women Mobilization Group, has called on former vice president, Atiku Abubakar asking him to contest in the 2019 presidential election.
The group spoke through its national chairman, Zachariah Sunday Diwong, on Tuesday, March 6.
He noted that Atiku is a tested and trusted leader and urged the north to rally in his support.
He said: “For equity, justice and fairness, we believe it is time for the entire north to support somebody from the northeast to as our President. And Atiku is the best from that region.
“Atiku Abubakar is a tested and trusted individual who has the capacity to transform Nigeria better than what it is today.
“Nobody from the North Eastern Nigeria that is most qualify than the former Vice President, He is the man that knows Nigeria. The man who has been in the policy making of Nigeria. A philanthropist.
“For these reasons and many more, we the Youth from the Northwest here by endorsed Atiku Abubakar for presidency come 2019.”
Hon. Isah Danssallah who spoke at a meeting organised by the Turaki Youth and Women Mobilization said Atiku would provide a level ground for the youths.
He said: “Both North Central and the North West have been ruling this country since the military era. In the spirit of fairness, the North East should be considered. I called on the Nigerian Youth and Women to rally round Atiku. He will prepare a leveled played ground for the Youth to takeover leadership within the shortest possible time.”
“This is a wake-up call for the Youth, they will occupy various positions in government starting with counselors, LGA councils chairmen, state assembly members and house of Representatives if Atiku is given the PDP ticket.
“As youth, we must sign a deal with Atiku as Youth and Women of this country because he is our last hope.”
Meanwhile, the national publicity secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alfa Mohammed, said on Sunday, March 4, that the party is expecting five governors and twenty senators and several House of Representatives members to join the party soon.
A House of Representatives panel has summoned former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina over alleged fraud.
They were invited over allegations of diversion of pension funds by the presidential task force on pension reforms from 2010.
Also invited by the panel are the head of civil service of the federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, the central bank governor, Godwin Emiefele, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Ibrahim Magu, the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission and all members of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms.
Others are the former Head of Civil Service, Steve Orosanye, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation, Abubakar Malami.
They were asked to appear on Monday to come and explain their role in the alleged diversion.
Sharon Ikeazor who is the executive secretary of Pension Transitional Administration Directorate in her presentation said “the directorate did not receive any document from the task force when it was established.”
She said “only the liabilities were handed over to the directorate.”
Anayo Nnebe who is the chairman of the committee said they needed to hear from other parties.
He said: “We cannot conclude this investigation without hearing from the persons involved. We must bring all the culprits to book.”
Meanwhile, about four months after he received a detailed report on how Maina was readmitted into the civil service, President Muhammadu Buhari has not taken a firm position on the controversial issue.
The president’s detractors said he is delaying to respond to the report with the hope that Nigerians would soon forget the issue. But his supporters pointed to his history as a thorough administrator who would only take decisions after he gets all the facts on matters of national importance.
A Nigerian man, Toni Iwobi, who has been living in Italy since the 1970s, has been elected as the country's first black senator.
Iwobi, who was born in Gusau in Northern Nigeria, is the chief immigration spokesman for the far-right League party in Italy, a party which has been accused of stirring up xenophobia.
He announced on his Facebook page that he had been elected to the senate in Italy's general election, The Local reports.
Our source gathered that Iwobi's party was elected in the industrial city of Brescia in Northern Italy - a major immigration hub.
Following the election, Iwobi said on Facebook on Tuesday, March 6: “It is with great excitement that I can tell you I have been elected senator... A new adventure is about to begin."
Iwobi has been supporting the League for more than two decades and used the campaign slogan #StopInvasion - a reference to the more than 690,000 migrants who have landed on Italian shores from North Africa since 2013.
According to Iwobi, illegal immigration into Italy has led to an increase in racism.
He said in January: “Discrimination begins when there are no rules and the state… lets anyone in. Illegality leads directly to violence and a racist response. The League supports healthy and controlled immigration which can act as a bulwark against racism."
62-year-old Iwobi travelled to Italy on a student visa 40 years ago. He married an Italian woman and started his own IT company in Italy.
This was revealed by United Kingdom-based Nigerian university lecturer, Dr Adebisi Adewole, who is also the managing editor of African Pulse Magazine.
According to him, Nigerians across the UK are excited over the development, adding that the elected MPs success appears justified as they have broken various forms of historical barriers.
The immediate ex-governor of Nasarawa state, Aliyu Akwe-Doma, is dead.
According to his nephew, Ahmed Bako, Akwe-Doma died on the evening of Tuesday, March 6 in a foreign hospital in Israel after a brief illness, Premium Times reports.
Sympathisers have already gathered at Akwe-Doma’s house in Orozo, Karshi district of Abuja.
He was governor of Nasarawa state between 2007 and 2011, after which he was defeated by the incumbent governor, Umaru Al-makura.
Who is the richest footballer in the world? Messi? Ronaldo? Neymar? No, it's Leicester youth team member Faiq Bolkiah. The 19-year-old who tried his hand at youth teams of Southampton, Arsenal, and Chelsea earned a $20 billion fortune, not on the football field.
Midfielder of the Leicester youth team Faiq Bolkiah is not the greatest sports talent of modern time, but it's quite possible for the richest footballer in the world to acquire all the clubs of the Premier League if he would like to.
The nephew of the Sultan of Brunei
Faiq Bolkiah became rich as soon as he was born. His father is the prince of Brunei, Jeffrey Bolkiah, and his uncle is Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. If you do not yet understand the country the Faiq family rules, we should note that Brunei, due to its rich oil and gas reserves, is one of the best places in South-East Asia in terms of living standards.
The world richest footballer was born in Los Angeles and has dual citizenship. He could compete for the US team, but decided that he would protect the colors of his native Brunei flag. At the age of 19, he already received a captain's armband.
Didn't suit Arsenal and Chelsea
The world richest football player began his career in AFC Newbury and in 2009 moved to Southampton. Faiq stayed in this club for four seasons playing for youth teams and then got on the Arsenal's radar. However, the representatives of this club, like their enemies from Chelsea where Bolkiah moved to in 2014, did not notice enough talent in him to grow into a first-class performer. Therefore, in 2016, Faiq left London and signed a 3-year contract with Lester.
Life full of luxury
According to published data, Faiq's father in just 10 years of his work as head of the investment agency of Brunei earned $15 billion. However, this is not the whole estate of the family of the richest footballer. There were rumors that Jeffrey Bolkiah spends 35 million pounds a month and in his collection, there are already 2300 cars.
While Faiq devotes his time to football, his uncle holds meetings with the Queen of Great Britain.
The richest footballer in the world presently also boasts that Michael Jackson gave a private concert to him and his family.
Although on the football field Faiq behaves quite modestly, the 19-year-old young man does not hide his love for luxury.
That's what the footballer said about his childhood:
"I've been playing football ever since I remember myself and from the very early age I liked to go out on the field and feel the ball at my feet. My parents always helped me in achieving my dream of becoming a football player. They trained me, both psychologically and physically, when I was a child. Therefore, I must say that they are role models for me."
Who is the highest paid football player?
Of course, it's not entirely fair to evaluate world richest players only by inheritance that they received from families. We also should consider the money earned by them. The Spanish newspaper Marca published the rating of the most highly paid football players of the world. It's headed by the striker of Barcelona and the national team of Argentina, Lionel Messi. We bring to your attention the top 10 players who have the highest contracts.
Ronaldo is the sixth in the list of the world's highest paid players, despite the fact that he has won the Golden Ball for the last two years.
10. Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng) - €17 million
9. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - €17.5 million
8. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - €18 million
7. Hulk (Shanghai SIPG) - €20 million
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) - €21 million
5. Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei Fortune) - €23 million
4. Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) - €24 million
3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - €36 million
2. Carlos Tevez (Shanghai Shenhua) - €38 million
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) - €46 million
Top 10 richest footballer in the world and their net worth
Also checkout you to consider the list of the richest footballers who earned their fortunes on the field. Figures are taken from the Internet resource celebritynetworth.com.
Cristiano Ronaldo - $400 million;
Lionel Messi – $340 million;
Zlatan Ibrahimovic net worth is $160 million;
Wayne Rooney net worth is $145 million;
Neymar Jr. – $140 million;
Kaka – $105 million;
Raul – $100 million;
Samuel Eto’o – $95 million;
Ronaldinho – $90 million;
Frank Lampard – $90 million.
Of course, Ronaldo's $400 million seems to be a trifle compared to the $20 billion that Faiq Bolkiah owns. But in his defense, it is worth saying that the sportsman earned this sum on his own and did not inherit from rich relatives. During 2017, Ronaldo net worth according to Forbes increased by $93 million.
Last year, Ronaldo was voted the best player of FIFA at the fourth time and extended the contract with the football club Real Madrid, which agreed to pay him $50 million annually for 4 years.
According to Forbes, more than a 1/3 of the player's income is obtained owing to profitable business deals. Among all the partners of Cristiano, Nike stands out: this company became the first individual sponsor of the Portuguese when he was only 18 years old. The parties were so pleased with the cooperation that Ronaldo signed with Nike a lifetime contract for €22.5 million a year so he'll most likely make more than €1 billion from the brand.
Also, Ronaldo represents the Tag Heuer watches brand. The amounts are still not disclosed but it is known that Cristiano was personally interested in this partnership, because he loves quality watches. At home, he has a collection of 50 different models. In 2014, he gave all players and employees of Real Madrid watches worth €8 thousand.
The main brand that Ronaldo develops in his spare time is he. Under the name CR7, a small business empire is growing. The main trend is clothes. Everything started with underwear and socks, later shirts and shoes were added. Now 13% of each sold item goes to the player's personal account.
Prices for pants start from €25, socks - from €12, and shirts cost not less than €65. Shoes cost the most - from €107 to €590. In addition, there is a line of branded blankets CR7 and even perfumes that can be bought somewhere for €60. All sales bring Ronaldo from €6 to €10 million a year.
Also, Cristiano became a partner with the largest Portuguese chain of Pestana Hotels, under the CR7 brand, there are four large hotels in Madrid, Madeira, Lisbon, and New York. The total cost of the project is estimated at €75 million and Ronaldo participates here not just as a brand ambassador but as a full-fledged investor.
In Madeira, the corridor is made in the style of a football lawn. In the foyer hang images with goals' celebrations and a photo of Ronaldo is in each of the 48 rooms. In Lisbon, the gym offers training programs like the one Ronaldo uses.
In early 2017, under the CR7 brand, the Crunch Fitness gym was opened in Madrid. The American network decided to conquer the European market by attracting the most recognizable sportsman because it helps to return serious investments quickly. The opening of one club requires more than a €1 million. In partnership with Ronaldo, until the end of 2017, two more gyms were opened.
The chances of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winning the 2019 general elections are getting slimmer by the day following lingering cases in the party
A national chairmanship contender at the PDP's December 9, national convention, Professor Taoheed Adedoja has again approached a federal high court sitting in Abuja, seeking for an accelerated hearing of the suit he filed against the election of Prince Uche Secondus as the national chairman of the party.D
Prof. Adedoja in a statement said his councel, Messrs Rickey Tarfa and co on Monday, March 5, approached the court to request for an accelerated hearing to an earlier suit filed on December 18, 2017, with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/1255/2017 on grounds that his name was “unlawfully excluded from participating in the December 9 national chairmanship election of the PDP.”
Adedoja said: “All the defendants/respondents in this case including Prince Uche Secondus, the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had long been served with the originating processes in the earlier suit
“The abridgement of time sought by Rickey Tarfa is to enable the case to be heard by the Federal High Court expeditiously as the aim of the suit bothers wholly on the right of Adedoja to participate in the said convention coupled with the need to urgently determine the right of the parties in the suit
"This is to enable INEC deal with the valid and authentic national chairman of PDP with respect to the scheduled conduct of any primary election or any activity of the party requiring any correspondence with INEC.”
Adedoja expressed dismay at the zero (0) score credited to him as a national chairmanship contestant at the convention, insisting that he was maligned and embarrassed as a result.
Meanwhile,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state said President Mohammed Buhari should not to believe the promise by the state Governor Godwin Obaseki that the state would deliver 1.2 million votes to him in the 2019 general election.
