PSG sign Mbappe on loan with option to make deal permanent

Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain, have signed France international, Kylian Mbappe on a season-long loan deal from AS Monaco.
The French side have the option of making the deal permanent for a fee of £166m, and should they do that, Mbappe will stay in the club till 2022.
“I really wanted to be a part of the club’s project, which is one of the most ambitious in Europe,” said Mbappe.
The club president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, added: “It was essential for French football that we keep and help develop such a great talent in our championship.
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“Among players of his age, he is without doubt the most promising in the world due to his immense technical, physical and mental qualities.”
Mbappe was instrumental for Monaco who won the French Ligue 1 title last season, and also reached the knockout stages of the Champions League before falling to Juventus in the semifinals.
The 18-year old made a total of 44 appearances last season and scored 26 goals in all competitions.
He also made his debut in the French senior national team this year and has made four appearances.

Sallah Holidays: See How Nigerians Are Scrambling To Enter Free Train As It Departs Lagos For Osun (Photos)

Many Sallah travelers have departed the Iddo train terminal aboard the free Train ride provided by Osun State government, and they were captured on camera.
Sallah travellers for the Islamic holidays were captured on camera scrambling to enter the train at the Iddo train terminal in Lagos aboard the free Train ride provided by Osun state government yesterday, August 30, 2017.

KCEE suggests he’s better off without Harrysong with release of new album

It is no longer news that Harrison Tare Okiri, popularly known as Harrysong has fallen out with his record label 5 Star Music and co-owner of the label KCEE over what many say was due to irreconcilable differences occasioned by lack of trust.
The pair have also in recent times been involved in a vicious exchange on social media over the lingering beef and the recent post by KCEE on his new album suggests that he’s better off without any input by Harrysong.
KCEE took to his Instagram page recently to inform his fans about the release of his forthcoming album titled “Attention To Detail”; he said the album is a product of relentlessness and hard work which brought out the best in him.
“Finally, its here my people… ‘Attention To Detail’ #TheAlbum. It’s a product of hard work , relentlessness and above all God’s grace to ensure I give my friends the best. My work is my weapon for success and I thank you all for your love , support and criticisms over the years, the difference is clear and can only get better.
“How I wish you all knew how much I love and appreciate every one of you. Spread the word that The Attention to Detail Album from the incoming Governor is out every where. This album is for you all. Link on my bio. #attentiontodetail #nottooyoungtorun @kceenews.”
Read also: Kcee filed N20m suit against Harrysong to save his life, manager speaks
Though Harrysong has gone on to set up his own record label Alter Plate, it is of note that he got his big break with the song “Reggae Blues” while signed onto the 5 Star Music platform owned by Emeka Okonkwo (a.k.a E-Money) and his brother Kingsley Okonkwo (a.k.a KCEE).
The beef which the parties involved tried to shield until it became public knowledge late last year was however brought to light when Harrysong’s ‘Reggae Blues’ won the award for Song Of The Year, and Kcee, who collaborated with him on the track climbed the stage to celebrate with him while also confirming they both had scores to settle.
Ever since, there has been a vicious exchange on social media between both parties with KCEE even filing a N20 million lawsuit against Harrysong at the High Court in Lagos demanding for the enforcement of his ‘Fundamental rights’, in a move Harrysong described as a witch-hunt.

Emeka Ike dropped as AGN President

There is a new sheriff in town just in case you don’t know as Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has been unseated as the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria at a recently staged election.
The actor who in the last four years steered the affairs of the Actors Guild riddled with a deluge of problems garnered 14 votes as against his opponent, Emeka Rollas, who had 42 votes to emerge as the new leader of the powerful position.
According to reports, the election was staged after a peace agreement was reached between Emeka Ike and former AGN President Ibinabo Fiberesima at the 2017 Peace and Reconciliation Conference which was staged in Enugu.
Read also: Actor Emeka Ike, wife end 17-yr marriage, bride price refunded
Emeka Ike’s defeat is coming barely a week after the actor, in an interview suggested that he could accept his ex-wife Suzanne Emma back if she confesses.
The pair seized to be husband and wife following the examination of a petition Emma filed before the Lagos court on the 13th of July 2015 which was ruled upon six months ago by a three-man panel of judges chaired by Chief Awo Awosola while others included Kehinde Jacob Olayinka and Opeyemi Olanrewaju, the only fem

Uche Jombo calls out bloggers who make up stories about her marriage

Nollywood actress Uche Jombo minced no words when she launched a tirade on bloggers who make up stories about her marriage especially with news making the rounds today on the internet that her marriage has crashed.
The internet, especially social media has been awash with news that Uche Jombo has ended her marriage to her husband Kenny Rodriguez after finding out that he was in relationship with a 22-year-old girl named Teresa who is said to be an American student.
Uche Jombo, who is obviously cross at the report, took to Instagram to pen a lengthy message calling out bloggers who publish stories online without fact-checking their sources.
The angry thespian who is not finding the report funny wrote thus on Instagram;
Dear Nigerian Bloggers,
“If YOU are going make up stories about my life or marriage try FACTS.
Read also:  Uche Jombo’s hubby apologises to wife after photos of his alleged girlfriend surface
“Normally I will look at this stupid trending story on me today and look the other way but not TODAY!!! ENOUGH!!!!!! I find your need to create mirage tales of rancour where there are none in chase of a story/news outrageous.
“There’s no story here except a woman trying to balance her family life and work in 2 countries.
“Please LEAVE my FAMILY out of your manufactured made up stories, there are more important stories, real issues in world people are worried about than little old me.
“My only social media cover-up is pretending You “Zero journalistic ethics” people didn’t hurt me by your unfounded and non-factual stories.”
Recall two months ago that Kenny Rodriguez, the Puerto Rican husband of the Nollywood actress, apologised to his wife over alleged reports that he was dating the same girl which sent wrong signals that their marriage may be in crisis.
Dispelling the perception, Kenny took to his Instagram page at the time to shut down the rumours that he was in a relationship with the young African American student who was allegedly spotted with him on different romantic dates in Dallas where he is based.
In his post on Instagram, Kenny said his loving wife is not deserving of such reports which in his opinion was negative and inappropriate.

2019: No broadcast station will go unpunished for hate speech- NBC

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that would heavily sanction broadcast stations that engage in or facilitate hate speech especially as the build-up to the 2019 elections gathers steam.
The Director General of the commission, Is’haq Kawu, said this on Thursday in Enugu at the inauguration of Family Love FM 99.9 at the European Quarters in Ngwo.
Kawu was represented at the event by a director in the commission, Armstrong Idachaba.
He observed that the commission had taken note of the incidence of hate speeches from some parts of the country, adding that it would guard against its infiltration into the broadcast industry.
Read also: Time to hold Fani-Kayode to account for his ‘ranting’ and baseless allegations- group
“We are already seeing signs of hate speeches among Nigerians and would not tolerate it in the broadcast industry as we prepare for the 2019 elections.
“Our broadcast stations should rather be used to engender tolerance, mutual respect as well as promote unity among Nigerians,” he said.
Kawu noted that the broadcast industry had witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years owing to the complete deregulation of the sector.
He said that there were now about 800 radio stations in the country, adding that what was expected of them was healthy competition.
“We now have a very competitive private sector that is experiencing great growth.
“Competition in the sector now has multiplier effects in the country in terms of job creation and education.
“The competition among the various players in the industry must continue to be friendly”, Kawu said.

NFIU boss backs Magu, rejects proposed new agency, hinting at Senate overreach

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, on Wednesday reiterated the commission’s position that the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) was already independent of its control, contrary to the views in some quarters.
Magu, said at an interactive session with editors on Wednesday in Abuja, that ongoing efforts to create a separate NFIU were unnecessary.
Francis Usani, NFIU Director, also supported the view of Magu, stating that the position of the Egmont Group was widely misconstrued, as it did not ask for an overhaul as was interpreted by the Senate in moving to create a separate agency.
Magu buttressed his position, thus, “I am not opposed to the autonomy of the NFIU; in fact, the NFIU has always been operationally autonomous.
“I understand the workings of Financial Intelligence Units around the world and they are domiciled in law enforcement agencies based on their credibility.
“This is another way of corruption fighting back; people are fighting and pretending to be in support of what is ongoing, but they are not giving a face to the fight against corruption.’’
Elaborating on this, Usani said that the Egmont Group was simply asking for amendment of Section 1(2)(c) of the EFCC Act.
Read also: 2019: No broadcast station will go unpunished for hate speech- NBC
He said the group was not demanding the creation of a separate NFIU as being portrayed in some quarters.
“The section says that the EFCC is a designated FIU, but the group is saying the provision is not clear to them.
“What the group is saying is that we should create the NFIU as a unit under the EFCC by amending that provision of the EFCCT Act. It is as simple as that.
“But it is unfortunate that the perception generally is tending towards abusing what the Egmont Group is asking us to do.
“As the chairman has said, there is a very high level of operational autonomy in the NFIU.
“When we talk about operational autonomy, it is different from administrative autonomy.
“The NFIU has three core responsibilities which are to receive information, analyse the information and disseminate it to law enforcement agencies.”
Usani said other law enforcement agencies make request for information directly to the NFIU without the knowledge of the EFCC chairman.
He explained that the chairman had no knowledge of information given by the NFIU to agencies like the ICPC, DSS, among others.
“The NFIU signs MoUs without the EFCC chairman’s consent, I attend meetings within and outside the country which the chairman doesn’t know about.
“There are a lot of other things we do at the NFIU without his knowledge. The chairman doesn’t ask me who is making request to us or to who we are making request to.
“Even my international engagements he doesn’t know about.
“All these give credence to its operational autonomy. But these issues are being politicised and that is what pains me the most”, he added.
The director warned that a stand-alone NFIU was against the protocols of the Egmont Group and would only earn the country expulsion.
It would be recalled that the NFIU, which is domiciled in the EFCC, was recently suspended by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units for alleged undue interference in its operations.
The group reportedly demanded autonomy for the NFIU as a condition for the suspension to be lifted, failing which Nigeria would be expelled in January, 2018.
Following news of the suspension, the Senate rapidly moved to establish the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency (NFIA), receiving commendation from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who had been engaged in a running battle with Magu.
The development however led some close watchers to describe it as curious and suspect, one which, by the unusual dispatch and interest it elicited from the legislators, appeared likely intended to further curtail the powers of the Magu-led EFCC with which the senate had endured strained relations.
Egmont Group is a global financial intelligence sharing body made up of 156 Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) representing 156 countries.
It is a platform where members share expertise and financial intelligence in a bid to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

Chamberlain Squash Open: Ford, Ajagbe Coast into Finals

Briton, Tom Ford and Nigeria’s Babatunde Ajagbe have qualified for the finals of the ongoing maiden edition of the Chamberlain Squash Open (CSO) holding at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos.
Both men’s semifinals were played on Friday and both were somewhat easier than expected.
Well, Okay, most squash folks probably gave Femi Shedara little chance to beat the Briton.
Despite Shedara best effort, Ford dispatched him in 44 minutes winning 11-3, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7.
In the second match, Nigeria number one Babatunde Ajagbe easily dismissed Mark Broekman in straight set, 11-6, 11-9, and 11-9.
The Briton who survive an upset in the first round could not withstand the Ajagbe’s clever play in the 40 minutes encounter.
The final encounter will take place at the same venue by 3pm on Saturday, August 26, 2017 (today).
The maiden tournament has about 12,000 dollars on offer in both the Men’s and Women’s category.
For the women’s finals, Yetunde Olatunji will be slugging it out with Udeme James.

Results
A breakdown of the results shows that Babatunde Ajagbe beat Mark Broekman 11-6, 11-9, 11-9, while Tom Ford beat Femi Shedara 11-3, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7.
For the women, Yetunde Olatunji beat Rofiat Abdulazeez 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 and Udeme James beat Dasbak Longdi 11-5, 11-6, 13-11.
The Promoter of the CSO, Chamberlain Usoh assured that the competition will be an annual event as it is meant to promote squash in the country.
Anxious squash enthusiasts are already looking forward to the event.
Many squash and sports lovers are expected at the finals.

Buhari Signs Agreements On Extradition, Others With UAE

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed nine agreements, including the Extradition Treaty, with United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The treaty is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony at the President Villa, Abuja on Thursday, the President says that the agreements would enable both countries to take important steps toward strengthening their economies and security.
“Today’s ceremony marks a very important milestone in our demonstration of sovereign capacity to fulfil our international obligations and take important steps for the benefit of our economy, security and the anti-corruption war within and outside Nigeria.
“I am happy to note therefore, that pursuant to a Memorandum presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Council has approved the ratification of the said Agreements, thus paving the way for today’s ceremony.
“With this sovereign act, which has been replicated in the United Arab Emirates by their responsible authorities.
We are now in a position to utilize these Agreements fully to foster cooperation between our respective authorities particularly for the purpose of prosecuting the anti-corruption campaign of this Government.’’
President Buhari, therefore, charged all agencies with roles to play under the respective Treaties to ensure that they did that effectively to reap the full benefits of the agreements.
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates in January 2016 in Abu Dhabi signed six different agreements to enhance bilateral relations between them.
The signing of the agreements on trade, finance and judicial matters was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which include the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth.
The President, however, says that the full implementation of the agreements was delayed due to the need for both sides to conclude their respective ratification processes.
President Buhari further observed that the signing of the agreements was in demonstration of the nation’s sovereign capacity to fulfil its international obligations and take important steps for the benefit of the economy, security and the anti-corruption war within and outside Nigeria.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Speaks
In his remarks, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said the signing of the treaties was a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s determination to continue to play its role as a responsible member of the international community.
Other legal instruments between Nigeria and UAE signed by the President included the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters and the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.
The President also signed the Charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Nigeria, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad, African Tax Administration Forum Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters.

Others are the World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty; The World Intellectual Property Organization Treaty on Audio-Visual Performances.
The Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons, who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise was also signed by the President.
The signing of the agreements was witnessed by Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, USA, Ireland, Chad, and Head of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria as well as some cabinet ministers and presidential aides.

Ogbeh:Nigeria To Stop Importation Of Rice By December, 2017

Nigeria has concluded plans to stop the importation of rice by December, 2017, the minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh says.
He laments that it is unfortunate that Nigeria is still spending billions of dollars on food importation.
Ogbeh said this during a courtesy call on the Osun State governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.
The minister also hints that the Federal Government is ready to partner with Osun State government in the current process of massive food production.
According to Ogbeh, this will serve as part of the measure government is deploying to tackle economic recession.
“By December this year, we will stop importation of rice into the country.
”It is a pity that as a nation we spend about five million dollars on the importation of rice on a daily basis.
”We have no choice in this country now but to go back to farm and begin to cultivate it so as to be able to free ourselves and the land from poverty because oil and gas can no longer do it.
“Our dreams of big foreign exchange earnings must stop and it is a pity that all our revenue is being spent to service debts.
Ogbeh futher explains, “If care is not taken, it will be very difficult to finance the debt which the nation owed all in the name of food importation.
”We have to put a stop to this. We have to rededicate ourselves and look inward in order to chart a new course for our nation.
”The only feasible alternative we have to cushion the adverse effect of the present economy is for all to go back to farm.

Rice Farmers

CALLS FOR COLLABORATION
Ogbeh calls for maximum collaboration and partnership between and among the various authorities to revamp agriculture.
Furthermore, he maintains that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has been restructured to meet the nation’s needs on food production
This approach he posits will help to bring an end to all forms of food importation.
He adds that his visit aims at solidifying the existing relationship between the Osun State Government and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Especially ,on the need to achieve a better agricultural productivity.
”In Osun, there is a lot of potentialities through various crops. Just two crops alone are enough for Osun to make over three billion dollars in a month.
“We have to find extraordinary means to make agriculture work in this country .
”Because by 2050 Nigeria’s population would have risen to about 450 million and we have to quickly begin to look for means of being capable to feed ourselves by then,” he remarks.


‎OSUN STATE GOVERNOR SPEAKS

In his remarks, Aregbesola, says there is no aspect of agriculture that his government has not touched.
Furthermore, he stresses that the present economy has left Nigerians with options of either to develop or destroy, thus calling for massive participation in agriculture.
“An alternative to oil is a quest of all nations. A time is coming when oil will no longer serve the mono-economic that it serves now, thus,
”Nigeria must come to that grim reality that in 25 years to come, there will not be revenue from oil, governor Aregbesola adds.

NNPC Supplies the Cheapest, Most Reliable Power to Nigerians – GMD

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), supplies the “most reliable and cheapest power’’ to Nigerians, Dr Maikanti Baru, the corporation’s Group Managing Director says.
Baru made the statement in Houston on Monday while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of the 2017 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)
OTC is an annual conference of experts in the oil and gas sector.
The conference has been put together to provide opportunity for experts to brainstorm and network on issues and challenges facing the sector.
Maikanti, represented by NNPC Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Mr Saidu Mohammed,
Says that several Nigerians are unaware that the corporation had long been part of Nigeria’s power sector
“We (NNPC) supply about 1,000 megawatts of power from the two power plants at Afam and Okpai
“These are the most reliable power plants in Nigeria and they provide the cheapest source of power for Nigerians.
“Before that we had been talking to our joint venture partners notably Chevron and Total to build similar power plants at Obite and Agura.
“But these companies are yet to build the plants; that is why we are in Houston to invite investors to build power plants in Nigeria,” Baru says.

Dr Maikanti Baru
NNPC GMD

PURPOSE OF VISIT
The GMD notes that officials of NNPC are also in Houston to invite companies who have the capacity and competencies to come to Nigeria to invest in the power sector
According to Baru,Nigeria’s participation in the conference is also aimed at increasing the nation’s gas reserve and to enhance the capacity of Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)
Baru revealed that the NNPC has a target to raise the production level of NPDC within the next two years
He says, “Essentially we want to raise the production capacity of NPDC to about 700,000 barrels with the support of other partners.’’
He says that NNPC participated in the conference to solicit for capital, advanced technology and partners to invest in Nigeria’s power sector and transform the corporation to achieve set goals.

DOWN MEMORY LANE
Meanwhile, Baru had previously in March 29, disclosed that NNPC is already working on a project to generate 4, 000 megawatts of electricity
He further states that the corporation is exploring the possibility of investing in the transmission segment of Nigeria’s power sector
He adds that contrary to the impression that the poor power situation in Nigeria was caused by inadequate gas supply;
The real problem in fact, is the inadequate transmission capacity
According to the GMD, the corporation has enough gas to generate 8, 000 megawatts of electricity:
“But the transmission grid will not be able to support such volume of power without complications.’’