VeryConcern

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says he came to the financial rescue of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when it was launched in 2004. Atiku spoke on The Candidate, a presidential town hall conversation hosted by Kadaria Ahmed, a journalist in response to a question on how he would make the anti-graft agency independent and able to discharge its duties on time without preferential treatment. He said the EFCC had no budgetary allocation to begin operation when it was launched. “My quarrel with the judicial system is that there is too much delay. If we can shorten the delay, so that justice is seen to be meted out immediately, better for us. “The problem is the legislation and the procedure being adopted by the judiciary. The cases we initiated in our administration are still in court. Now, where is the justice? “When we set up the EFCC, I personally brought the first draft of the regulation from Brazil an...

Groundbreaking superhero blockbuster “Black Panther” on Sunday won the top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards — a major boost to its campaign for Oscars glory next month. The film won for best ensemble cast, besting musical romance “A Star Is Born,” Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman,” Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and rom-com “Crazy Rich Asians.” Chadwick Boseman, who plays the title role in what was the top-grossing film in North America in 2018, explained the film’s significance alongside his co-stars, nearly all of them black. “We all know what it’s like to be told that there is not a place for you to be featured, yet you are young, gifted and black,” Boseman told the audience at the Shrine Auditorium. “We knew that we had something special that we wanted to give the world — that we could be full human beings in the roles that we were playing, that we could create a world that exemplified a world we wanted to see.” “Black Panther” also won for best stunt...

Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, has said that there is no room for experimentation in Lagos State and so needs someone who is experienced to govern the state. Fashola dropped the hint at a radio programme monitored by newsmen. He said the enormity and complexity of the state do not allow for it to be superintended by an inexperienced person. He said that for a state with a population of over 20 million people, only a tested and trusted person should be given the mandate to govern it. He debunked the assertion that the state was in bondage. He said, “Lagosians are not in any way in bondage. I cannot fathom where anybody got the notion that Lagosians are in bondage.” He was quick to point out that what the people of the state needed now is a tested and trusted person. The minister said the state was not a place for anybody to come and play but to settle down to serious business. He was quick to add, that during his tenure as governor...

Thierry Henry has been suspended from his role as coach of struggling Ligue 1 side Monaco as they prepare for a key relegation clash this weekend, the club announced on Thursday. "Henry has been suspended until a definitive decision is made," the club said in a statement, adding assistant coach Franck Passi would oversee training on Friday ahead of their trip to fellow strugglers Dijon. Henry, 41, was suspended by Monaco, who are second-from-bottom in the French league with 15 points, after the former Arsenal and France striker earned the Principality club just two wins since his arrival in October. He took up the post with the 2017 French champions in October following the sacking of title-winner Leonardo Jardim but failed to improve on the poor start to the campaign by his predecessor. Monaco are two points behind Dijon, who are 17th and a further point from safety, after collecting only three wins from 21 matches, and crashed out of Europe early after finis...

Juventus pulled off a coup of sorts when they managed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid in the summer for 100 million. While his transfer price and annual salary of €30 million maybe considered as too high for many, there is no doubt that his marketability and image generates income for the club from various sources. Take a look at how Ronaldo is helping Juventus off the pitch. 3. Juventus's market value has skyrocketed Such is Ronaldo's value, that Juventus' share price gradually started to rise as soon as reports emerged that he is set to join them. Post his signing, between July and September - the club's share price skyrocketed by over 125 percent, thereby increasing market capitalisation to €1.5 billion. 2. Fans have flocked to see their star attraction The club owners and hierarchy are known as some of the best business minds in the sport and displayed that by raising the season tickets prices by 30 percent as soon as the Portugese s...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says that it has discovered fresh plot by desperate politicians to use food vendors around polling units with large voter populations as collection points for cash-for-votes as well as other forms of material inducement to voters on election day. Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, who raised the alarm in his remarks when he hosted European Union Chief Observer, Mrs Marie Arena, in Abuja, dismissed claims that the Commission has outsourced the recruitment of election duty staff to partisan actors. “There is no doubt that our electoral processes are getting better and votes count. We will continue to progressively improve our elections and protect the sanctity of the vote. This calls for the support of all citizens and all stakeholders. In our determination to do so, we have taken bold steps to address the disturbing trend of vote-buying by some political actors. “For this reason, we have modified the administration of our polling uni...

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season. The four-time Premier League champion will celebrate his 37th birthday in May and feels the time is now right to hang up his gloves after achieving everything he set out to do in his career. "This is my 20th season as a professional player and it has been 20 years since I signed my first professional contract, so it feels like the right time to announce that I will retire at the end of this season," Cech explained in a short statement released on Twitter. "Having played 15 years in the Premier League, and won every single trophy possible, I feel like I have achieved everything I set out to achieve." Reassuring Gunners fans about his commitment for the remainder of the campaign, he added, "I will continue to work hard at Arsenal to hopefully win one more trophy this season, then I am looking forward to seeing what life holds for me off the pitch." A...

Take your time to read through and learn from   Self-made millionaire Steve Siebold . Self-made millionaire Steve Siebold says that building wealth is a learnable skill. If you work at it, you can improve. "Like most things in life, becoming good at attracting money is no different than becoming good at anything else, be it being a sub-par golfer, losing weight or mastering a second language," he writes in "How Rich People Think." For most people, wealth, like fluency in another language, doesn't simply come to you one day. Getting rich takes sustained work. Here are six lifestyle changes that have worked for self-made millionaires and billionaires and could also work for you. Ditch the steady paycheck Siebold, who spent decades studying the world's wealthiest people, says the rich are typically self-employed, while average people tend to settle for steadier situations. "It's not that there aren't world-class performers who punch a t...

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has warned politicians against all forms of violence in the forthcoming general elections. Oba Ogunwusi gave the warning at the Grand-finale of New Year Prayer Service organised by Christian Association of Nigeria, Ile-Ife Chapter, at Afenworo Park, Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife, on Saturday. According to Ooni, there is no gain in the shedding of blood, trouble and violence and anyone that died cannot come back to be useful to the society again. He charged all and sundry to maintain peace and orderliness in the forthcoming elections, saying it is only God that enthrones and put his choice on the throne. The Royal Father admonished politicians to give peace a chance and allow peaceful coexistence in all ramifications; if truly they want to serve humanity. He advised politicians to desist from do-or-die affairs. The traditional ruler urged youths to work for their future and run away from politicians who want to misuse them for poli...

Cristiano Ronaldo is without doubt one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, with the striker winning multiple titles and awards in his career so far. Here, we take a look at five records held by the superstar that are unlikely to be broken. 5. Scoring 10 goals in UCL for seven consecutive seasons Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, netting 121 goals in 158 games and is one of it's most successful, winning five titles in his career so far. Ronaldo has scored 10 goals in the tournament for seven consecutive seasons as no other player has netted 10 goals or more in two consecutive seasons. 4. Netting 50 plus goals for six consecutive seasons in a top 5 European League The 33-year-old has scored 50 plus goals for six consecutive seasons in a top five European League, with the striker netting  53, 60, 55, 51, 61 and 51 between 2010/11 and 2015/16. During this time he has scored a total of 331 goals in...

A Ghanaian pastor, Dr. David Nabegmado, was on Sunday stabbed to death during the church service. According to a report, the pastor was attacked as he was preparing to leave his inner office for the main church auditorium to preach. He reportedly died a few hours later, at a nearby medical facility, where he had been rushed for treatment. The alleged attacker, who has been identified as a nephew of the pastor, is said to have been apprehended by passers-by and some church members and handed over to the police. The suspect, Francis Nabegmado, spoke with journalists after his arrest and told them that his uncle had tried to kill him several times in spiritual battles. “My uncle is worshiping lesser gods. He is not a man of God. He has sacrificed all the family people and destroyed everybody” he alleged. The Tema Regional Police Command has begun investigations into the death of the senior pastor of the Central Assemblies of God Church.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed optimism that his party will win the 2019 presidential election convincingly. Oshiomhole, who spoke on Thursday with State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not an option. According to him, Nigerians are not ready to vote for PDP again. “PDP is just not an option; particularly when their candidate is not a new face; there is no basis for benefit of the doubt. “You can give benefit of the doubt to a stranger not to someone who was at the heart; perhaps one of most powerful vice presidents we have ever had. “So, I am clear that Nigerians will not have any basis to give PDP the benefit of the doubt.” He said that PDP wanted to be in power for 60 years but were driven out after 16 years. According to him, no employer will recall an employee whose j...

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has released a statement following his departure from the club, insisting he was proud to represent the club. After several months of speculation, United announced that Mourinho had been officially relieved of his duties on Tuesday, bringing an end to a tumultuous time in charge of the club which featured clashes with senior players and club officials, as well as frustrating performances on the pitch. Following his dismissal, Mourinho released a statement in which he admits he was proud to wear the badge of the club. According to ​The Independent, the statement reads: "I have been immensely proud to wear the badge of ​Manchester United since the first day I arrived, and I believe all United supporters recognise this. "Just as was the case with my previous clubs, I have worked with some wonderful people and I believe that some will be my friends for life. "I know that you are all aware of my professional pri...

Footballing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has created and broke a number of records in his illustrious career so far, with the 33-year-old almost setting a new one every time he sets foot on the pitch. Ronaldo finds himself in the history books once again as he scored Juventus' 5000th goal in the Serie A, making the Bianconeri the first club in Italy's top flight to reach the mark. The Portugese star scored via a penalty in the 70th minute to help them beat Torino in the Derby della Mole. Juve's 1000th goal came way back in 1948 courtesy of Carlo Parola while Gianni Rossi netted their 2000th goal in 1962. 19-years later Massimo Briaschi scored number 3,000 with former Italy striker Marco Di Vaio scoring their 4000th goal in 2003. With his strike Ronaldo finds himself in the history books for Juventus, as their win on the night was their eighth in succession away from home, equalling their longest winning run on the road in the top flight. Juventus are still unbeat...

Real Madrid vice-captain Marcelo has admitted that Los Blancos miss Cristiano Ronaldo but also claims that feeling the Portuguese superstar's absence is only natural after all these years. After spending the last nine seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu winning every possible trophy, Ronaldo left Real in favour of ​Serie A outfit ​Juventus in the summer transfer window. It wasn't long before they felt his absence, succumbing to a series of disappointing results under former coach Julen Lopetegui. Santiago Solari's appointment has seen Madrid make something of a recovery, although they are still five points behind defending champions ​Barcelona. The forward, on the other hand, has settled in effortlessly with the Bianconeri, scoring 10 goals in 15 league appearances. Marcelo admits that the three-time reigning ​Champions League winners miss their record goalscorer, but feels it's only natural given his stature and contribution. "He is a player who as wel...