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  Dutch referee Danny Makkelie has offered Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal an apology after disallowing the striker’s goal against Serbia. Portugal had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their 2022 World Cup qualifying clash after Ronaldo was denied a last-gasp winner by the match officials. Replays showed that the Juventus striker’s shot had crossed the line before Aleksandar Mitrovic was able to clear the ball away, but Makkelie waved play on after consulting with his linesman, which he has now admitted was the wrong decision. “As per FIFA’s policies, all I can say is that I apologised to the national coach, Fernando Santos, and to the Portuguese team for what happened,” Makkelie told Portuguese publication A Bola. “As a referee team, we always work hard to make good decisions. When we are in the news in this manner, it doesn’t make us happy at all.” Ronaldo was furious after seeing his goal chalked off, having produced an finish after latching onto a perfectly flighted Nuno Mendes pass. The

  The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reported the arrest of 16 persons including a 45-year old mother of four in Abia State for allegedly engaging in illegal oil bunkering. The state commandant of the corps, Mr Vincent Ogu, stated this while briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Umuahia, the capital on some of its recent achievements. He explained that, “The suspects were arrested at different locations across the state for offences bordering on oil bunkering and illegal dealings in petroleum products.” He said Babangida Saleh, Abubakar Ibrahim, Bukar Ali, and Mohammed Mohammed were arrested, while conveying about 30,000 litres of suspected petroleum products in a truck with Reg. No. GYA611XA. “Lawrence Ahmed, Johnson Akinrinola and Ofo-Obong Francis were arrested, while conveying 10 drums of suspected petroleum products concealed in cellophane bags in a Volkswagen Bus with Reg. No EZA879XA.” Ogu further added that that Daniel Ikechukwu and Ugochukwu A

  The senate has embarked on a three-week Easter break to resume plenary sessions on April 13 The upper legislative chamber announced the break after Wednesday’s sitting. Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the recess is in line with the senate rules and does not stop the various committees from carrying out their functions. “The senate will proceed on its Easter break but our committees will continue to do their work. The Easter break will last from March 25 to April 13” he said.   “The committee considering the petroleum industry bill is working very hard to ensure that we receive the report as soon as we resume plenary. “Our committee on the review of the 1999 constitution under the chairmanship of the deputy senate president is working round the clock likewise so many other committees. “This is just for the plenary to be closed but of course our committees will continue to work. The senate is hereby adjourned to April 13.”

  Governor Seyi Makinde has said that he would make history in Oyo State to be the first governor to hand over to a successor. Makinde said this on Saturday at the Inauguration of the 8th President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide. He noted that no governor in the state has ever handed over to his successor after the expiration of his tenure. “No governor has ever handed over to his successor in this state, “Baba Lam Adeshina didn’t hand over to his successor. “Former Governor Ladoja didn’t hand over to former Governor Adebayo Alao Akala. “Akala didn’t hand over to Abiola Ajimobi and Ajimobi didn’t hand over to me. “But I’m standing in front of the altar of God, I will be the first governor to hand over to my successor. He commended the smooth process that led to the inauguration of the new CAC President. Makinde pointed out that Nigeria is at a crossroads. He said priority should be given to ending the crisis of division in the nation.

  A traditional ruler, Oba Tajudeen Omotayo, the Oba Alade Meta of Imope land, a community in Ijebu Igbo area of Ogun State was on Saturday abducted by some yet to be identified gunmen. Available details of the circumstances in which the traditional was abducted are still sketchy. But sources from the town said the Oba left his palace around 11 am with his butter colored special utility vehicle with plate number W 3J9 Ogun for Ijebu-Ode. And on his way back home around 3:00pm, the unknown gun men accosted him at Okeeri of area of Imope and took him away leaving his vehicle on the road

  Governor Samuel Ortom has explained how he was attacked by armed men he said were about 15 and how his security operatives prevented them from killing him in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State on Saturday. Briefing journalists in Makurdi, Ortom said he was inspecting a farm at a river bank on Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road when the gunmen descended on him and his entourage. But he said his security details responded quickly to the attack and were able to repel the assailants, thus giving him cover to return to safely return to his vehicle. He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the police and DSS have mobilised to the forest between Tyo-Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen were camped to flush them out. Ortom also called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. The group had at a meeting in Yola reportedly called for Ortom’s assassination. He added that he will send petition on the attack to President Muhammadu Buhari and the securit

 Senator Ben Ayade, the Cross River state governor, has sent a strong message to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that he stands on the fence and ready to dump the party if not given his due respect and recognition. Speaking in Calabar during the visit of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state to him, Ayade said that because he plays politics with ethics, his style is being mistaken for weakness. He said the time has come when he will put his foot down and take a decision on the bases of what will prosper the collective well-being of his people. Addressing Governor Mohammed, Ayade said, “I cannot blind myself to the challenges of PDP and decide not to know what to do at the right time for their [Cross River people] sake. “I know you are somebody that doesn’t take injustice. One single injustice they will see a new Cross River state.” He threatened that one single injustice against him and his followers, “and I say it as a warning because it does appears that your party seems to celeb

  One thing that is pretty certain now is that Lionel Messi is a freak of nature. The Argentina is now already the Barcelona player with the most goals, most games, most titles and most wins in the club's 121-year history. However, he has a pretty huge catalogue of other records that will surely boggle your mind. Here's a list of all of them.... Messi is the only player in history to win the Ballon d'Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi Trophy and Golden Boot in the same season. It happened in the 2009/10 campaign. Messi has won 6 Ballon d'Or crowns. They came in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019. No player in history has won more. Messi is also the youngest player to win three Ballon d'Or crowns. He was 24 years, 6 months and 17 days old when he won the third on January 9, 2012. Messi has also claimed the most number of Golden Shoe accolades. He has won six. They came in the 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. Messi has also sc

  Masturbating is normal for every man, instead, considered healthy. It is absolutely humane to do it because it boosts sexual pleasure and maintains a healthy sex life. However, this must not become an addiction. A fun activity that boosts sex drive should not turn out to be an uncontrollable affair to deal with. So, how to stop masturbating and why do you have to is what this article will look at. Are You Masturbating a Lot? How do you know that you’re overdoing it? It can affect the way you think, act and feel in society. You will witness behavioural changes that can affect your surroundings. You wouldn’t want to get into such a situation, would you? The first step to stop it by accepting the fact that you have this problem and then move ahead to finding solutions to curtail it. Here are some pointers that could indicate the very fact that you are excessively masturbating. Skipping work, school and social gatherings to masturbate. An uncontrollable urge to do it. Plan to do it where

  The global media company and American business magazine, Forbes has frowned at reports that American rapper, Kanye West is the richest black American. Forbes focuses majorly on listing and ranking in areas like business, investment, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and marketing. The magazine took to its official Twitter account @forbes on Friday. It wrote, “No, Kanye West is not the richest black American. On Wednesday, multiple outlets reported that Kanye West is the richest black person in America, worth as much as 6.6 billion dollars’’. The news comes after Bloomberg reported that his sneaker brand, Yeezy as well as Yeezy Gap, which had yet to sell one stitch of clothing have a combined value of as much as 4.7 billion dollars. “The publication mentioned without going into full details an additional 1.7 billion dollars in assets and it is not true, based on our calculations. “Forbes estimates he is worth less than a third of that, or 1.8 billion dollars. That’s a big jump

    Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, on Friday, stressed that Nigeria as a nation may not record any meaningful achievement in life until they are able to free the nation’s judiciary from the stronghold of politicians. Onnoghen who spoke publicly for the first time since his removal from office two years ago, attributed his sack to political manuevre. The former CJN, who was speaking at the unveiling of a book titled ‘Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, Practice, Procedure, Forms and Precedents’, by a legal luminary, Chief Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), attributed his sack to political intrigues. Onnoghen revealed that prior to his removal, he was accused by the executive of having met with former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, preparatory to the 2019 general elections. According to Onnoghen the rumour was thick and spread fast, but he decided not to react to it because he never travelled to Dubai or held any meeting

  Portugal and Juventus superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo is widely considered as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, with the striker breaking/creating numerous records during his career so far. Ronaldo was at it again after netting a hat-trick for Juventus in their 3-1 win over Cagliari in the Serie A on Sunday, to move to 770 goals in his illustrious career so far. The 36-year-old has only now opened up on breaking Brazil legend Pele's disputed record of 767, having exceeded his official number of 757 earlier this year. “The last few weeks were filled with news and stats considering me the world’s top scorer in football history, overcoming Pele’s 757 official goals. Although I’m thankful for that recognition, now it’s time for me to explain why I didn’t acknowledge that record until this moment," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram. “My everlasting and unconditional admiration [for Pele] led me to take into account his 767 score, assuming his nine goals for Sao Paulo

SANWO-OLU APPROVES 21-YEAR JAIL TERM FOR CULTISTS, SIGNS ANTI-CULTISM BILL INTO LAW   •Governor Appoints Two Permanent Secretaries, Members of Procurement Agency Governing Board •Three Other Bills Signed Into Law   Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed the bill for the Prohibition of Unlawful Societies and Cultism of 2021 into law, approving 21-year jail term for convicted cultists in the State.   The State’s House of Assembly, in February, passed the anti-cultism bill, which also stipulates 15-year jail term for anyone found guilty of abetting cultists and residents who willfully allow their properties to be used as meeting points by cultists.   Sanwo-Olu assented to the bill at the swearing-in event for newly appointed members of the State’s Public Procurement Agency Governing Board and two Permanent Secretaries held at Banquet Hall in the State House, Alausa, on Monday.   At the event, the Governor also signed three other bills into law. They are Lagos State Audit

PRESIDENT BUHARI CONGRATULATES NIGERIAN AFROBEATS STARS BURNA BOY, WIZKID President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Nigerian music star Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, whose entry won the “Best Global Music Album” category in the 2021 Grammy awards, saying he has made notable contributions in the field of music which the world has come to recognize. "Congratulations to Burna Boy on being conferred the 2021 Grammy, the world’s most prestigious musical awards. He has made notable contributions in the field of music which have brought glory to Nigerians at home and abroad. We are proud of his path-breaking achievements,” he said. The President also congratulates Wizkid who emerged as a joint winner of the Grammy Awards in a different category. President Buhari acknowledges the efforts of forerunners like King Sunny Ade and Femi Kuti whose creative exertions earned them Grammy nominations, paved the way and brought Nigerian music to global reckoning. The President believes tha

  The estranged wife of Femi Fani-Kayode, Precious Chikwendu, has stated how the former aviation minister “habitually beat” her up while she was pregnant with their first child. The marriage of the duo crashed in 2020 as Chikwendu alleged domestic violence claims and Fani-Kayode reacted by accusing Chikwendu of infidelity and the separated partners are fighting for the custody of their children. Chikwendu had earlier filed an affidavit-backed statement of claim in court, showing her allegations against Fani-Kayode as she countered his accusations. She stated that Fani-Kayode constantly beat her during her first pregnancy and described her “then unborn babies as cockroaches.” Chikwendu disclosed that she had been cuffed, stripped, and sedated on the directive of the ex-Minister on one occasion. “While I was pregnant with the first child, FFK was habitually beating and mostly punching my stomach. Anytime he was angry, describing my unborn babies as cockroaches or ‘a thing’ that he would

Kaduna state government has said further checks in the wake of the attack by armed bandits on the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA indicated that 39 students are currently unaccounted for. In a statement issued by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, said the missing students included males and females. The statement said: “In an earlier update, citizens were informed that troops rescued 180 persons following an attack by armed bandits on the College late Thursday night, with about 30 still missing. The number of missing students is now confirmed to be 39, comprising 23 females and 16 males. Aruwan said the state government, “is maintaining close communication with the management of the College as efforts are sustained by security agencies towards the tracking of the missing students.

  Federal government has on Friday Flag-off Special Cash Grant for Rural Women in Damaturu, Yobe State capital. Launching the programme, the Minister of Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said that “we gather to provide support to citizens of our beloved country. I am delighted to have you all converge on this venue for purpose of flagging off the Federal Government’s cash grant for rural women, which is a significant social protection programme of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable groups out of poverty”. According to her, since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration in 2015, Government has paid more attention to protecting and promoting the plight of the poor and vulnerable in the country. This she said informed the decision to initiate the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) as a strategy for enhancing social inclusion and protection of the most vulnerable segments of our society.

Goodwill Zwelithini, the controversial but revered king of South Africa’s Zulus, has died at the age of 72 after spending weeks in hospital for diabetes treatment, his palace announced. The king wielded great influence among millions of Zulus through his largely ceremonial and spiritual role despite having no official power in modern South Africa. “It is with the utmost grief that I inform the nation of the passing of His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini … King of the Zulu nation,” the palace said a statement signed by Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a powerful veteran politician who is also a Zulu prince. The king was admitted to hospital last month for diabetes. “Tragically, while still in hospital, His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse and he subsequently passed away in the early hours of this morning,” the statement said. “On behalf of the Royal Family, we thank the nation for your continued prayers and support in this most difficult time.” Born in Nongoma, a small town in the south

  The Minister of States for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has disowned the increase in the price of petrol as announced earlier by the Petroleum Products Pricing Agency, PPPRA. Mr Sylva said neither he nor President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the decision to increase the retail price to N212 per litre. The increase by the PPPRA late Thursday, contradicting the NNPC’s earlier assurance that the price of petrol would be maintained, sparked outrage across the country Friday. The NNPC insisted its position had not changed and the PPPRA later deleted the post from its website. In a statement sent to newsmen Friday, Sylva said the government could not have lied and called the PPPRA announcement “completely untrue”. He apologised for “distress and inconvenience, the unfortunate information might have caused.” Read his full statement below: Dear Nigerians, you are by now very aware of the news trending that the federal govt has increased the price of petrol to N212.6 per liter. Irrespective of

 The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has berated the Federal Government and states in Northern Nigeria for allowing bandits free reign in the region. According to the organisation, it is not enough for the government to rejoice over the release of school children without ensuring that the perpetrators face the consequences of their action. It has therefore demanded for a clampdown on bandits and kidnappers terrorizing Northern Nigeria. The group in a statement by the NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, titled: ‘Bandits Siege on Nigeria: Enough of the Empty Rhetoric’ stated that the recent kidnap in Kagara in Niger State and Jangebe in Zamfara State “has again put in sharp focus the deteriorating security situation in the country, and the discernible scandalous incapacitation of government and security agencies in tackling the issue of terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria.” Owoaje who noted that Nigerians have had enough of perfunctory statements which remain lar

  Ondo State Government has suspended both the National Union of Road transport workers, NURTW, and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, RTEAN in the state. The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on special duties and strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said that the suspension was with immediate effect. Odebowale attributed the suspension to recent leadership crisis within the two unions He directed the leadership of both unions to vacate motor parks across the eighteen local government areas of the state and to stop collecting dues from taxi drivers and other motorists across the state. Odebowale also directed taxi drivers to revert to the old price of N50 per drop across the state. He explained that new tickets would be purchased directly from the state government and no more from the unions. The Governor’s aide said “every attempt to make life difficult for the masses would be restricted by the state government. He added that security agencies had been notified to