Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos asked to leave the club to join a team in China on a free transfer, president Florentino Perez has revealed.
Perez says Ramos and his agent approached the club claiming they had received “a very good offer from China”, but says Madrid had refused the defender’s request.
“They (Ramos and his agent) came to see me in my office and told me they had a very good offer from China but the league rules over there wouldn’t permit them to pay the transfer fee,” Perez told radio station Onda Cero.
“What was I going to tell him? We said this couldn’t happen but we’d speak to the club to satisfy him but that Real Madrid could not afford to let its captain leave for free as that would set a terrible precedent for other players.”
The 33-year-old Spain defender, who is Madrid’s longest-serving player, has won four Champions League titles but has been blamed for the club’s exit from this season’s competition to Ajax.
Ramos was found by UEFA to have intentionally got suspended for the second leg of Madrid’s Champions League last-16 tie with Ajax Amsterdam, which they lost 4-1 to exit the competition at the earliest stage since 2010.
The Federal Government on Monday unveiled fresh plans to create about 20 million new jobs in four different sectors of the economy.
The strategy was disclosed in Abuja at a stakeholders’ meeting on job creation.
The minister said that with the huge level of unemployment in the country, it had become imperative to come up with a pragmatic approach to creating jobs for the people.
He said the ministry had directed the Industrial Training Fund to come up with innovative solutions to create 20 million jobs in four sectors of the economy within the next four years.
The sectors, according to the minister, are agriculture, transportation, services and construction.
Enelamah who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Sunday Akpan said the need to focus on these sectors was borne out of the conviction that they held the key to the diversification efforts of the Federal Government.
The minister said with the huge contributions of these sectors to the Gross Domestic Product of the Nigerian economy, it had become imperative to explore their job creation potentials to reduce the level of unemployment in the country.
He said, “In order to sustain and build on the successes recorded in this regard in the first tenure of Mr. President, we are articulating and strategizing with a renewed impetus towards combating the twin evils of unemployment and insecurity.
“It is on this basis that the ministry charged the Industrial Training Fund to come up with revolutionary multi-faceted job and wealth creation strategies that would lead to a lasting solution to this hydra-headed problem.
“From the report, I have received, the ITF has been able to propose pragmatic strategies that within the tenure of the next level, will generate about 20 million jobs from four key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“These key sectors are the Agriculture, Construction, Transport and the Services sectors.”
Dubai-based billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan says he has “agreed terms” with Mike Ashley to buy Newcastle.
Midhat Kidwai, managing director of the Bin Zayed Group, issued a statement on Monday afternoon confirming the talks, which Sky Sports News reported were taking place earlier in the day.
“In response to numerous reports in the world media this morning, we would like to comment as follows,” the statement read.
“We can confirm the representatives of his Highness Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are in discussions with Mike Ashley and his team about the proposed acquisition of Newcastle United Football Club.
We view it as an honour to have the opportunity to build on the strong support, history and tradition of the club.
We have agreed terms and are working hard to complete the transaction at the earliest opportunity.”
Newcastle have confirmed to Sky Sports News that the statement is genuine, but have not released one of their own.
Sheikh Khaled is a senior member of the Abu Dhabi royal family and cousin of Manchester City’s Arab owner Sheikh Mansour. Last year he failed in a £2bn takeover of Liverpool.
Ashley wants around £350m for the club he bought 12 years ago.
Newcastle have been the subject of previous unsuccessful takeover attempts from Amanda Staveley and Peter Kenyon in the last two years.
Rafael Benitez led Newcastle to a 13th-placed finish in the Premier League this season.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Friday raided the MTN Nigeria head office in Falomo Ikoyi Lagos, shutting down all activities in the Complex, BusinessDay has learnt.
Although the reason for the raid could not be ascertained at the time of reporting, sources say members of the anti-graft agency stormed the telco’s head office, stopping all activities for alleged fraudulent financial activities pertaining to the company’s recent listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
Click to buy 1Gig For ₦200
“I believe the EFCC was informed that MTN was manipulating figures and also, maybe because of fraud pertaining to the company’s listing,” the source said.
Newsmen contacted Funso Aina, MTN’s Public Relations Officer, who neither denied nor admitted that the company was raided, but said: “We will send out a statement to that effect very soon.”
Contrary to claims by defense counsel of Nigerian singer Azeez Fashola, AKA Naira Marley that he is a first time offender, it has been revealed that the singer was declared wanted by Lewisham Police, United Kingdom in 2014.
On Monday 20th of May, 2019, during the arraignment of Naira Marley by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos a member of his defence counsel, Taiwo Oreagba who stood in for his lead defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo had pleaded with Hon. Justice I.N Oweibo, the Judge presiding over the case that the singer be remanded in EFCC custody pending the day of his bail hearing.
Oreagba had made the plea to the judge stating that Naira Marley was a first time offender.
Justice Oweibo eventually ruled that the singer should be remanded in Prison custody.
In a report published by London news website, Newsshopper on the 11th of June 2014 however, Naira Marley, alongside four men were declared wanted by Lewisham Police for crimes ranging from robbery to sexual assault on a night bus. Read The Full News Here.
Click Here To Buy 1Gig Data For ₦200
In his mugshot, the singer who was 19-years-old at that time was pictured dressed in a black T-shirt and a swollen left eye with a caption that read: “Azeez Fashola, 19, is wanted by police in connection with an incident in Surrey Canal Road, New Cross on March 5.”
Whether or not he was apprehended and tried for that case is unknown at this time.
The arrest of Naira Marley by the EFCC had generated mixed reactions as some personalities like Daddy Showkey amongst others have rebuked the anti-graft agency for going after the singer when corrupt politicians walk freely while others like Ruggedman have rejected those in support of the singer’s stance on “Cybercrime” saying fraud should not be celebrated.
Former Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Serie A Most Valuable Player after his first stint with Juventus.
Ronaldo scored 22 times and created 11 assists in Serie A so far.
“It has been a pleasure to work with you,” Ronaldo told outgoing coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Thank you for everything!
We’ve only been able to spend one season together, but you’ve been an exceptional coach and a great person.”
The Serie A awards in full: MVP – Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus); Best goalkeeper – Samir Handanovic (Inter); Best defender – Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli); Best midfielder – Sergey Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio); Best forward – Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria); Best young player – Nicolo Zaniolo (Roma).
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked Lauretta Onochie, an aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, to tender apology and pay him ₦500 million for linking him to terrorists.
This was contained in a letter by Mike Ozekhome, lawyer to the presidential candidate.
On May 7, Onochie had tweeted that the former vice-president was on a United Arab Emirates (UAE) watch list.
“Atiku on UAE watchlist- Security sources,” Buhari’s aide tweeted.
“Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are keeping a close tab on a former Nigerian Vice Pres Atiku Abubakar who has been in the Middle East nation for several weeks now What is he doing there?
“Me: Shopping for Terrorists?”
In the letter, Ozekhome said: “Your odious publication is clearly also aimed at rubbishing our client’s image and reputation,” the letter read.
“It has caused him national and international backlash and embarrassment and done incalculable damage to him.
“Your publication has also caused our client, in the eyes of reasonable members of the public, unspeakable odium, obloquy, hatred, ridicule and psychological trauma.
“He has thereby been subjected to the shame and infamy of being viewed by members of the public as not only corrupt, but as a terrorist and sponsor of terrorism.
“Numerous telephone calls, emails, visits, letters and private social media chats by his family members, friends, political and business associates, and international statesmen and women in the last few days attest to the alarm and serious concerns generated by your false publication.”
Ms Onochie has been known for her careless loquaciousness, slandering and accusing members of the opposition party constantly and playing thorn. How this case will turn out is left to be seen.
The Belgian has played 360 games for City since joining from Hamburg in 2008, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups along the way – including one of each this season.
Commenting on his decision, Kompany wrote a letter to fans on Facebook, saying: “We’ve just seen the close of an incredible season. My 11th as a Blue. I cannot believe I’m writing this but … also my last as a Blue.
“Countless of times have I imagined this day, after all, the end has felt nearby for so many years. It still doesn’t feel real. Man City has given me everything.
“As overwhelming as it is, the time has come for me to go. And what a season to bow out. I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club.
“I remember the first day, as clear as I see the last. I remember the boundless kindness I received from the people of Manchester.
“I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up.
“Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful. A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome.
“I cherish the counsel and leadership of a good human being, Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Man City could not be in better hands.”
Man City chairman Al Mubarak has paid tribute to Kompany’s huge contribution to the club’s success during his 11 years at the Etihad Stadium.
“There have been many important contributors to Manchester City’s renaissance, but arguably none are more important than Vincent Kompany.
“He defines the essence of the club. For a decade he has been the lifeblood, the soul, and beating heart of a supremely talented squad. A booming voice in the dressing room yet a quiet and measured ambassador out of it, Vincent can be as proud of himself as we are of him.
“I am not sure he expected to lift the Premier League trophy on four occasions during his captaincy but he will be remembered and revered whenever this period of unprecedented City success is spoken about by future generations.
“His leadership, intelligence and determination have seen him adapt brilliantly to playing under four different managers and overcome some debilitating injuries. He is a special character who has answered every demand the club has made of him.”
Kompany has now unveiled his plans for the future, confirming he has signed a three-year deal to become player-manager of Anderlecht.
The 33-year-old joined the Brussels club at the age of six and his career has now come full circle after a trophy-laden stint at City.
He announced on his Facebook page: “I choose to be grateful for the past but remain ambitious and driven for the future.
“For the next three years, I will take up the role of player-manager of Anderlecht. Belgium’s finest. This may come as a surprise to you. It’s the most passionate yet rational decision I’ve ever made.”
Congratulations on a huge career Vinny. Enjoy what the next phase brings. 🍺🍺
scribblesurban.wordpress.com 