Uduaghan’s magic did it for us –Warri Wolves

Nigeria’s sole survivors in this season’s CAF inter clubs competition, Warri Wolves; have attributed their hard won victory in Congo to the timely intervention of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to the club’s predicament.
Warri Wolves braved the odds to earn a late 1-0 victory over Congo’s MK Etancheite on Friday and advanced to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. The win means that Warri Wolves have remained unbeaten in three away matches of the competition, a rare feat by any Nigerian club side.
Financial constraints had affected most Nigerian government-run clubs this season as more attention was apparently given to financing electoral campaigns.
That saw Dolphins of Port Harcourt being walked over by Tunisia’s Club Africaine in the CAF Confederation Cup. Both Enyimba and Kano Pillars, in the more prestigious CAF Champions League, were knocked out in the last phase to the league stage, meaning that Nigerian clubs missed the league stage in three consecutive seasons.
Nigeria’s sole survivor in the quartet registered for continental assignments was being feared to have similar fate in the face of dwindling financial commitments until Governor Uduaghan intervened.
According to a statement from the club, NFF boss, Amaju Pinnick, has congratulated Warri Wolves and dedicated the win to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who responded promptly to see the team travel out to Congo for the potentially difficult assignment, having won the first leg 2-1 two weeks ago.
Indeed, Delta State under Dr. Uduaghan has been the major supplier of sports personalities in Nigeria and has always been the undisputed leader at successive National Sports Festivals. At the London 2012 Olympics, 12 of the 78-man team of Nigeria were from Delta State.
Of the 11 gold medals Nigeria won at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, six were by athletes from Delta State.
Undoubtedly, no state in Nigeria has had massive investment on sports than Delta State has done.
The medical doctor governor strongly believes that with the template he put on ground, Delta will remain the leading sports stars’ factory for the country in the next 10 years.
The signs are clear. Virtually every leading athlete in the state has a back up star waiting to take over. For instance, the celebrated Blessing Okagbare is already being trailed by Ese Brume who won the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal in Women’s Long Jump following the withdrawal of Blessing Okagbare who opted to concentrate on winning the medals in the sprints.


Learnt from the sun news

Asa singer Asa drops Eyo video

Queen of soul, Asa, has released the video for her hit single, Eyo. The track is off her Bed of Stone album, which was released in 2014.

The colourful video, which was directed by Meji Alabi for JM Production, celebrates the lifestyle of the average Nigerian and taps into the nostalgia of fun childhood memories and culture.

Learnt from the sun news

Buhari Drops Governors Fashola And Fayemi From Ministerial List

All is not well with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party’s rank and file seems in disarray following the alleged dropping of the names of Lagos governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) and former Ekiti State governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi from the ministerial list of President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).


According to our investigation, both men who are supposed to be candidates of the national leader of the party Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu may not be enjoying the support of the Jagaban of Borgu kingdom that is expected to press for their inclusion. National Weekender learnt that their names were initially pencilled down on the list still being worked on before final vetting by the party’s national leadership but on advice of a very powerful chieftain in the South West, the names of the duo were erased.


This development has irked the trio of governors Chibuike Amaechi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rochas Okorocha and Adams Oshiohmole of Rivers, Kano, Imo and Edo States respectively. The governors in a show of solidarity for the duo who belongs to their constituency (Governors Forum even as Fayemi is no longer in office) felt slighted that they were not carried along in the decision to drop both men who had worked tirelessly to actualize the victory of the party in the 2015 General Elections.


Recall that Fayemi was Director of Media and Publicity of Buhari’s Campaign Organization even as Fashola played a supporting role behind the Director-General Gov. Amaechi. To this end, the governors frowned at the dropping of their names since it was not a reward for their hard work but rather an exercise of ingratitude which is capable of disuniting the party. Feelers from the party suggest that Fayemi was to get the portfolio of Minister for Information since he is the face of the party in Ekiti despite losing to Ayo Fayose in the gubernatorial election held on June 26 2014

Learnt from nationalweekender

Suarez, CR7 trebles keep race tight

A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick maintained Real Madrid's La Liga title aspirations as they ended Sevilla's 34-game unbeaten run at home with a 3-2 win on Saturday.

Victory kept the European champions just two points behind Barcelona with three games to play after Luis Suarez scored his first hat-trick for the Catalans in a 8-0 humiliation of relegated Cordoba.

"It was not easy to win here and we have managed it. We are very happy and we keep fighting," said Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"It is not by coincidence that they haven't lost for 34 games at this stadium."

The game swung massively in Madrid's favour in the space of two first-half minutes while Sevilla were down to 10 men as Grzegorz Krychowiak was off the field receiving treatment for a facial injury.

Ronaldo headed home expertly from Isco's cross and then prodded in from Javier Hernandez's flick-on moments later.

Sevilla were handed a route back into the game when Sergio Ramos upended Vidal inside the area in first-half stoppage time and Carlos Bacca converted from the penalty spot.

Ronaldo looked to have sealed the three points with a stunning header from Gareth Bale's cross midway through the second-half.

However, Vicente Iborra reduced the deficit once more from as he swept home Vidal's cross to set up a grandstand finish.

And Madrid's hearts were in their mouths five minutes from time when Barcelona loanee Denis Suarez's trickled an attempt inches past the post.

Ronaldo's 29th Madrid hat-trick took him onto 42 La Liga goals for the campaign, two ahead of Lionel Messi who netted twice as Barca condemned Cordoba to relegation in embarrassing fashion.

Learnt from SS

Arik Air Resumes Limited Operations

Nigeria’s flag carrier, Arik Air, says it will resume limited operations on Sunday, May 3.

The Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communication, Jide Alade, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

“Arik Air resumes limited operations on 3 May with flights to London, New York JFK, Johannesburg and on limited domestic and regional routes.

“You will recall that the airline had cancelled all of its flights for today due to the scarcity of aviation fuel.

“Schedule and regular updates are available on their website,” he said.

Arik has been operating 20% of its daily flights schedule because of scarcity of aviation fuel, particularly in Lagos, its major hub.

The airline had on Friday, at a press briefing in Lagos, said that if the aviation fuel scarcity persisted, it could be forced to scale down more of its operations.

The airline, while apologising to customers about the delays and cancellations, explained that its 600-800 litres of fuel for its daily operations and current supply was lean and international flights have had to go to Ghana, Cotonou and sometimes Togo to get fuel before proceeding to London or the United States.

The airline operates about 120 flights on its domestic routes daily.

Learnt from Channelstvnews

Nnamdi Azikwe Airport: Violence erupts as Aero Contractor cancels flight

A serious fracas is reportedly going on at the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport following cancellation of flight by Aero Contractors.

Report says the airline cancelled a flight initially scheduled for 6pm today May 2, but was cancelled at 9.05pm after passengers had waited 3 hours.

The angry passengers reportedly descended on Aero staff and properties upon hearing the news. They were said to have destroyed some of the company’s valuables, as other staff took to their heels for the fear of being mobbed.

Passengers are now said to be stranded at the airport.

See Photos Below...

Learnt from pulse.ng

Knicks star Carmelo Anthony joins Baltimore’s protesters, urges calm

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony marched side-by-side with Baltimore's protesters Thursday while urging for calm and patience in his beleaguered hometown.

The 6-foot-8 athlete — who walked eye-level with waving placards reading “Black Lives Matter” and “No Justice No Peace” — told a CNN reporter that "It was only right for me to come down here."

“I’m supporting my community,” he said. "This is one Baltimore, man. Now is the time to rebuild this city back up. There is no need for us to tear it down."

The basketball All-Star joined dozens who took to the city's streets in demonstration over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died after critically injured in police custody.


Anthony said he's there to talk to the city's youth in what he described as “America’s community” and "calm things down."

"My message is to calm down. Let's just be kind of patient. That's easier said than done, to be patient, but we have to be patient to get what we want," he said.

“I understand where everyone's coming from. Our community is fed up. They (are) fed up right now but there are different ways you can go about it. I’m here to lead that kind of toward the right path. This is a peaceful march.”

Kerry Washington, Bellamy Young, Tony Goldwyn & More ‘Scandal’ Stars Step Out for the ATAS Event

Cast memebers of hit ABC series Scandal stepped out yesterday for the ATAS event at the Directors Guild of America on May 1, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.

Bellamy Young, Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Jeff Perry, Portia de Rossi, Darby Stanchfield, Scott Foley, Katie Lowes and more were in attendance.

For the event Kerry Washington looked chic in a two-piece matching print set that showed off her mid-riff and brought out her playful side with colours blue, pink, white and black. She accessorized with a pair of pink pumps.

Kerry Washington

Bellamy Young

Katie Lowes

Darby Stanchfield

Guillermo Diaz

Portia de Rossi

Tony Goldwyn

Joshua Malina

Jeff Perry

Scott Foley

You can’t use and dump me, Muazu tells PDP members

Adamu Mu’azu, PDP national chairman

Alhaji Adamu Muazu, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Saturday told the members of the party that he would not resign despite the woeful performance at the 2015 general elections.

The PDP National Chairman said this in reaction to calls for his resignation over the outcome of the 2015 elections in which the party lost the presidential as well as its majority control of National Assembly and state gubernatorial seats to the opposition All Progressive Congress for the first time in 16 years.

In a statement on Saturday, Mu’azu faulted the call for his resignation and those of the National Working Committee arguing that the party should stop its penchant to use and dump its officials.

“The developing culture of using and dumping has reached fratricidal proportions in the PDP and it must end. You cannot be changing Chairmen and NWC every year and still have cohesion which is a vital ingredient of winning. A good example occurred when we changed five Senate Presidents in eight years and produced calamity in the process, but for eight years we have had one senate president and produced harmony between the presidency and parliament.

“It is also time to end the spate of in-fighting and blame games currently dominating the political discourse among our membership and the leadership. It will do no one any good. The present leadership has until next year to run their course. The party will then decide how to deal with the zoning of the next leadership and strategies for winning the 2019 elections.”

Mu’azu said how to reinvent itself should be the preoccupation of the party now instead of indulging in blame game. “The elixir the Peoples Democratic Party needs to reinvent itself and retake power in 2019 instead of wasting time and energy mudslinging and blame gaming over the party’s failed bid to win a fourth consecutive presidential election victory.”

According to him, stories spreading like wild fire in the social media about schisms in the PDP can only energise the incoming administration of the APC and its desire to kill the PDP.

“But we can shock them with our usual resilience and ability to turn the tables particularly as they are already developing a tottering ineptitude in their transition progression to power.

“Our game plan is to provide a virile opposition to the new government which we have already graciously given a lifeline by conceding defeat and avoiding a calamitous battle in the courts.

“The international community have noted this great act of statesmanship on our part and we shall continue in this mode to show our commitment towards entrenching democracy in our country.

“It is therefore time for our great party to reinvent ourselves, show great maturity and map out a strategy that will return us to power in 2019.

“Despite losing our dominance in the National Assembly, our party has the largest number of experienced legislators in both chambers and will surely be calling the shots there. We will however help to reduce the imminent issue of learning process occasioned by the horde of inexperienced APC members in both houses because of national interest.

“Great lessons to be learned from the outcome of the 2015 Elections are many and I have already mentioned this in earlier interactions with the media.

“Lessons of candidate imposition, deepening of internal democracy in our party and other obvious lessons we need to learn for future guidance. It is so important for us to learn from what has happened. We must note that when the going gets tough, only the tough like the PDP can get going”, said Muazu.

He added that defection to the APC by members of the PDP was the most stupid thing going on within our party at the moment.

“Personally it does not worry me but I shudder at the wedge placed by the new ruling party banning the incoming troupes. It shows signs of how they will run the country from May 29 2015. It shows how they will not regard non APC Nigerians as part of their responsibility which will be a shame.”

Learnt from pmnewsnigeria

Rodgers Hails Gerrard’s Recovery After Penalty Miss

Steven Gerrard celebrates his winning goal during Liverpool’s English Premier League match against QPR at Anfield on May 2, 2015.

Liverpool Manager, Brendan Rodgers, has hailed the determination and quality of Steven Gerrard after the Liverpool captain recovered from a penalty miss to earn his team a 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers.


The Reds created a host of chances at Anfield and took a lead during the first half when Rickie Lambert expertly teed up Philippe Coutinho to send a curler beyond Robert Green.

But Leroy Fer levelled for the Londoners on 73 minutes and Gerrard was thwarted from 12 yards by a reflex save from the QPR goalkeeper in front of a stunned Kop.

But those same supporters were on their feet in the final moments as the No.8 leapt to meet Coutinho’s corner and glance a header home, securing all three points.

“It’s world-class talent,” said Rodgers to media after the match.

“There’s a very, very small group of players in that bracket, where in the big games they score the big goals and make the big contributions.

“He’s done that, everyone has seen that throughout his entire career at Liverpool.

Manchester United lose a third league game in a row for the first time since 2001 as West Brom win at Old Trafford for the second successive year.

Analysis

United had loads of the ball in the first half, as they do most weeks now, but didn't create enough with West Brom happy to defend so deep that the back four was almost in with the fans. Bizarrely, United spent most of the second half with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in midfield and were sucker-punched when Chris Brunt's deflected free-kick flew past David De Gea. It's becoming a familiar pattern for Louis van Gaal's team to have lots of the ball but struggle to do much with it.
Key moment

After going a goal down, United had the chance to equalise from the spot only for Van Persie to miss the penalty. If it had gone in, you would have expected United to go on and win the game. But it didn't, and United lost a third league in a row for the first time since 2001.

Good day

It's hard to think of a United player who came away with any credit. On the plus side, the United groundsman received an award before kick-off for having the best pitch in the Premier League. There was little else for United to shout about on a hugely frustrating day for the fans.




Bad day

Robin van Persie looked sharp in the first half on his return from injury and might have scored from Ashley Young's cross. But he spent the second half getting knocked off the ball in the centre of midfield and then missed a penalty and hit the post. He's had better days at Old Trafford.
Bigger picture

A third Premier League defeat in a row means United are still not guaranteed to finish in the top four. Liverpool's win over QPR earlier in the day cut the gap to four points with three games left. United will be sure of finishing fourth if they win they're next two games, but those are away to in-form Crystal Palace and at home against Arsenal.

Learnt from manchestereveningnews

Four Die In Emir’s Palace

Bauchi State - The Emir of Lafia, the chairman traditional ruler, Alh. Isah Mustapha Agwai has lost four of his palace guard in a ghastly motor accident at Tilde Fulani, Toro local government area of Bauchi State.

The accident occurred Friday morning when the Emir,s convoy was on its way to Bauchi to condole Governor Isah Yuguda of Bauchi state who lost his mother last week.


Ajiyan Sarkin Lafia, who spoke to newsmen in Lafia, the state capital explained that the four guards died when their Sharon SUV car collided with a incoming vehicle.

He said that the four guards namely Gambo Isah, Mohammed Umar , Sani Umar and Mohammed Yakubu died on the spot while the fifth occupant is now lying critical in the hospital.

Alhaji Abdullahi said that the palace guards have since been buried in Lafia, after Friday’s prayer.

Learnt from Chat212

A lady in Ondo state has died from stomach pains after eati

Toyin Afolayan, 22, has thrown residents of her community in confusion and mourning, when she died after eating a mango fruit in the area.

The death of Toyin, who lived in Power line area in Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has caused fear to her father, Mr. Lekan Afolayan, and the rest of her family.

According to police report, the deceased, after eating the mango fruit developed stomach ache and cough and was later rushed to the General Hospital, Ore for treatment.

The deceased later died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

The police report hinted that the father of the deceased reported the incident at about 7:00am, the day after the incident, at the police station in Ore. His statement said his daughter ate a mango fruit which led to stomach ache and cough before she died at the hospital while receiving treatment at about 8am.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Wole Ogodo said that the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the General Hospital, mortuary for autopsy.

Ogodo said investigation is ongoing on the matter and urged parents to caution their children on what they eat.

 Toyin Afolayan, 22, has thrown residents of her community in confusion and mourning, when she died after eating a mango fruit in the area.

The death of Toyin, who lived in Power line area in Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has caused fear to her father, Mr. Lekan Afolayan, and the rest of her family.

According to police report, the deceased, after eating the mango fruit developed stomach ache and cough and was later rushed to the General Hospital, Ore for treatment.

The deceased later died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

The police report hinted that the father of the deceased reported the incident at about 7:00am, the day after the incident, at the police station in Ore. His statement said his daughter ate a mango fruit which led to stomach ache and cough before she died at the hospital while receiving treatment at about 8am.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Wole Ogodo said that the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the General Hospital, mortuary for autopsy.

Ogodo said investigation is ongoing on the matter and urged parents to caution their children on what they eat.

Learnt from pulse.ng

A woman in Akwa Ibom connived with a doctor to sell her baby for a sum of N300,000 to a woman in Abuja

One of the strongest bonds in nature is one between a mother and child. This is why it is shocking that a mother will conive with her doctor to sell her new born son for N300,000.

Her 'customer' was supposed to be an unknown woman in Abuja.

Fortunately for baby, David Johnny, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued him.

It was learnt that the mother initially denied knowledge of the crime as the police intensified efforts to unravel the whereabouts of the baby.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, Akwa Ibom State, Mike Okoli, said when the police apprehended the doctor, he tried to frustrate police investigation into the matter.

He added that the police had to tell the doctor that they would charge him to court for child kidnapping if he failed to produce the missing child.

He said, “The police in Akwa Ibom State have rescued a baby boy, David Johnny, who was stolen when he was three-day-old and handed over to a doctor in Port Harcourt. The baby was subsequently taken to Abuja.

“When we found the doctor, he refused to cooperate as he tried to frustrate the efforts of the police in investigating the case of the stolen boy.

“My officers in the trafficking department moved from Uyo to Port Harcourt, Umuahia, and Aba in search of the stolen child.

“It was not until Wednesday, April 22, when the pressure became so much, that the woman who had bought the child, took the child back to the clinic in Port Harcourt, where she bought him, and abandoned him there.”

According to him, it was the phone call the woman, who had bought the child, made to the doctor who was in the police custody in Uyo that enabled them to trace the baby to the hospital.

He said, “The biological mother sold the child through the doctor to the woman for N300,000.”

Esther, 18, said David was her third baby and she could not take care of all of her children.

She said she was given N150,000 from the proceeds from the sale of her baby.

Further investigation into the matter is still currently on going, hence, the two culprits would be charged to court.

Learnt from pulse.ng

Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque dies at 68

Chief Imam of Abuja, Alhaji Musa Muhammed

 
The Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Muhammed, is dead, aged 68.

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, announced the passing on of the Imam in a statement in Ibadan on Saturday.

The statement said Musa Muhammad died during a brief illness at Abuja National Hospital.

It added that there would be prayers for him on Sunday May 3, at the National Mosque, Abuja by 10.00a.m.

“On behalf of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saád Abubakar III, Oloyede condoled with the Muslim community on the death of Musa Muhammed.”

In its condolence message, the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, described Musa Muhammed as somebody blessed with knowledge.

In the message, MMPN Chairman, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the Muslim community had lost a great scholar whose wealth of knowledge was a blessing to the Muslim community.

“This is really sad coming less than two months to the holy month of Ramadan where the Imam personally conducted Tafsir sessions for muslim men and women, including weekly sermons.”

The statement said he was a very kind- hearted and generous scholar, who combined humility and knowledge with philanthropy.
Musa Muhammed was born on April 11, 1947 and hailed from Jos North in Plateau State.

He is survived by four wives and 14 children.

Learnt from punchng

Rain renders 100 homeless in Kwara

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State

No fewer than 100 residents of Kosubosu, a border community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara, were rendered homeless on Friday night as a result of a rainstorm.

The rain, the first in the year, affected more than 25 buildings.

NAN reports that a similar disaster occurred in the community in 2014, with hundreds of residents, including a 95 year-old woman, affected.

The Public Relations Officer of the local government council, Mallam Jubril Masene, whose house was also affected, described the incident as devastating.

Masene appealed to government at all levels and well-meaning individuals to come to the aid of the affected residents to alleviating their hardship.

Learnt from pmnewsnigeria

W​e​’​re partnering with Jay Z’s Roc Nation – Chocolate City’s Audi Maikori

Audu Maikori is the founder and CEO of Chocolate City Music Group. Established in 2005, the music label nurtured the careers of rappers, MI, Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and singer, Brymo among others.

Recently, Chocolate City announced that Mr. Maikori would step down as CEO in June. The label would also merge with MI’s Loopy Music.

PREMIUM TIMES talks to Mr. Maikori about the future of the label and the return of Jesse Jagz, who had previously left the label after his contract expired.

Mr. Maikori also talked about the possibility of Brymo, who had left the label prior the end of his contract and was sued for his troubles, returning to Chocolate City.
PT: Ten years after, how does it feel to have run one of the more established labels in Nigeria?

Maikori: It’s been very exciting. I feel very fulfilled when I see peoples’ dream come true through what we’ve been able to create, which is a platform to promote, manage and add value to the artiste and the music industry itself; helping to set up the structures and I think the organization is a model for many people to copy. So, I’m very excited and pleased.

Granada sack coach Resino

La Liga strugglers Granada have sacked coach Abel Resino with just four games of the season remaining.

Resino won just two of his 16 games in charge since taking over in January to leave the Andalusians second-bottom in the table, six points from safety.

"Granada CF informs that this morning coach Abel Resino has been relieved of his duties," the club said in a statement.

It is the second time Granada have dismissed their coach this season as Resino's predecessor Joaquin Caparros was also sacked.

And a drastic upturn in form is needed in their remaining games against Getafe, Cordoba, Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid to maintain their status in the top flight for a fifth consecutive season.

Learnt from AFP

Sanchez could miss start of next season

Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez could miss the start of next season's Premier League campaign should Chile progress to the latter stages of the Copa America, manager Arsene Wenger confirmed.

The tournament, being staged in Chile from June 11, ends on July 4 and the Premier League season begins on August 8. This means Wenger, who likes to give players at least four weeks break during the close-season, faces the prospect of being without the 26-year-old.

"That's not good news because they finish very late and if they go very far he will miss the start of the season," Wenger told reporters.

The effervescent forward will be available for selection for holders Arsenal in the FA Cup final against Aston Villaon May 30.

Sanchez has been one of Arsenal's most consistent performers this season as the Gunners have reached a second successive FA Cup Final and have all but secured a spot in next season's Champions League competition.

Sanchez, who has scored 14 Premier League goals since joining the club from Barcelona last year, was named in the Professional Football Association's (PFA) team of the season last week.

Goalkeeper David Ospina and defender Gabriel Paulista could also be affected depending on the success of Colombia and Brazil respectively.

Learnt from Supersport

Drogba can't wait for 'crazy' Chelsea Sunday

Drogba was on the bench for much of this season until top scorer Diego Costa suffered a hamstring injury in a 3-2 victory at Hull City on March 22 and since then the Ivorian has featured regularly in the starting line-up.

"I can't wait for Sunday," he said. "We just want to win the league now, that's the most important thing.

"Everybody is focused, everybody is waiting for Sunday to happen and to come quick because we really want to play that game."

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea have a 13-point lead at the top of the table with five matches left to play.Learnt from supersport

Veteran striker Didier Drogba is expecting a "crazy" Stamford Bridge atmosphere when Chelsea attempt to clinch the Premier League title for the first time in five years with a win at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The 37-year-old former Ivory Coast international is dreaming of an avalanche of goals against London rivals Palace, just like 2010 when Chelsea wrapped up the championship with an 8-0 home drubbing of Wigan Athletic.

"I remember when we had to play Wigan to win the title, the atmosphere was crazy," Drogba told the club's in-house television channel. "I think Sunday is going to be the same and I hope we are going to score a lot of goals for the fans.

"It's a derby as well. Crystal Palace are going to come and show what they can do and try to disturb us but really I think Sunday has to be a blue day."


Learnt from supersport

Costa may not play again this season'

Costa, who has scored 19 goals in his first season in England, has not featured since going off with a hamstring injury against Stoke City on April 4.

Chelsea are three points away from a first league title since 2010 and Mourinho said he may allow the 26-year-old Costa, who has been plagued by hamstring injuries dating back to last season at Atletico Madrid, to take the rest of the campaign off.

"There is a chance he might not play again if we win on Sunday," Mourinho told a news conference.

"If we lose on Sunday and need the points against Liverpool, I would say he plays. In this moment we are result after result. If we don't need him he probably doesn't play again.

"He needs a long break and a good period of work. We are preparing a good working situation for him during the holiday period."

Chelsea beat Leicester City 3-1 on Wednesday to open up a 13-point lead at the top and Mourinho said his players were relaxed ahead of the match against Palace at Stamford Bridge.

"We are calm," the Portuguese coach said. "We need two or three points to be champions. Let's say three to make sure you don't depend on goal difference.

"We have been top of the league since the beginning of the season. That is something very difficult to do.

"Obviously, we want to finish as soon as possible. If we can finish it at home, on Sunday, even better. That's what we have in our minds."

Asked how he would celebrate winning a third league title at Chelsea after back-to-back triumphs in 2005 and 2006 during his first stint in charge, Mourinho said: "I will go home. We have nothing prepared. Normally, I finish the game and go home."

Diego Costa will not play against Crystal Palace and the Chelsea striker may not feature again this season if the champions-elect clinch the Premier League title with victory on Sunday, manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday.

Learnt from supersport

Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca dies after breast cancer battle

Rebecca and Rio Ferdinand

The wife of former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has died after a brief battle with breast cancer.

Rebecca Ellison, 34, passed away on Friday night the Reds legend revealed in a statement issued this morning by current club QPR.

Mr Ferdinand and Rebecca have three children; Lorenz, who was born in Manchester in 2006, Tate who was born in 2008 and a daughter named Tia, born in 2011.

The statement said: "My soul mate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

"She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.

"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.

Rio Ferdinand with wife Rebecca Ellison at the Manchester United Player of the Year Awards at Old Trafford in 2013

"I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden.

"Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten.

"Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately."

Learnt from manchestereveningnews

Royal Baby Number 2: Kate Middleton Gives Birth, Welcomes Daughter With Prince William

Royal baby No. 2! Kate Middleton and Prince William have given Prince George a sibling and welcomed their second child together, a daughter

Listen carefully, you may hear royal baby cheers from across the pond! After much anticipation, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, welcomed their second child together -- a daughter! -- in Paddington, London on Saturday, May 2.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales & The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry & members of both families have been informed— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 2, 2015

Middleton, 33, and Prince William, 32, announced in September 2014 that their son Prince George was going to be a big brother. After a trip to NYC, a parade of fab maternity outfits, and more, the royal baby prep officially began on April 14 as parking restrictions were posted outside the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital, the very same wing where Prince George was born in July 2013.


Up next, the royals will introduce their bundle of joy to the world outside St. Mary's Hospital, as they did with Prince George after his birth. They will then leave the hospital (hopefully Prince William won't have a struggle with the baby car seat this time!) and return to Kensington Palace for a couple of days.

A source tells Us Weekly that the couple will then travel back to their Anmer Hall home in Norfolk. As the family of four adjust, Prince William will take two weeks of paternity leave from his Bond Air Services training

Middleton will also take some time off. The Palace isn't commenting on when she will return to public engagements. The insider notes: "As you’d expect with having two very young children, her focus will be on the family during the summer."

Learnt from usmagazine

Suitcases to be fitted with microchips that tell owners where they are... hmm... This is a good idea.

It's the last thing you need at the end of a holiday. After leaving the plane with a tired and fractious family, you find yourself stood before the luggage conveyor belt – with no sign of your suitcase.

But one firm is attempting to reduce the stress of worrying if your bag has been irretrievably lost – by fitting their designs with microchips.

The technology, using global positioning systems similar to that found in a mobile phone, could also end the uncertainty over when a bag is about to appear on a baggage carousel.

New technology could see your luggage send you a message when it has left the aircraft and then again when it is about to join the carousel (file picture)

It could also share specific information with an owner’s mobile phone so if you are prone to leaving bags behind it can send an alert if you stray more than a few meters from it, also helping to reduce theft.

The smart bag, which is being developed by Hong Kong based Samsonite in partnership with South Korea’s Samsung, could also be able to offer travellers a raft of other features.

Samsonite chief executive Ramesh Tainwala told the Mail: ‘Smart luggage will be able to communicate with you but it needs to be able to do much more than just give its location.

‘We are working with Samsung to create something that is more than a gimmick.'


The future will see your bag sending you a message when it has left the aircraft and then again when it is about to join the carousel.

But the technology does not stop there - the chip can also send out an alert if the bag is being opened and the firm is also working on a project to develop 'self-propelling' luggage.

This could spell an end to having to cart your bags about.

The firm has been testing luggage fitted with an engine that is able to follow its owner just inches behind.

The chip can also send out an alert if the bag is being opened and the firm is also working on a project to develop 'self-propelling' luggage (file picture)

'This is a utopia we are working towards but we are not quite there yet,' says Tainwala. 'It's a blue sky idea where the bag will follow you 6 inches behind. It's a bit like a programmable remote control car.

'At this stage the real focus is on a motor with a remote control that needs to be light and small. The early prototypes use an engine that takes up a third of the space and weighs 20 kilos.

'But if you look at music speakers, they used to be huge and are now tiny. So we revisit this project regularly.'

One project that is likely to become available much sooner will be the bag that self-checks in at the airport.

Samsonite is working with Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM Air France to bring an end to that holiday nightmare - the lengthy airport check in.

Passengers can already generate their own boarding pass at home or on their mobile phones but have to stand in line to deposit their bags to get a receipt.

The new smart bags will check themselves in. The airlines are working on technology that means as soon as a passenger arrives at the airport the chip would identify who owns the bag.

It will then be remotely programmed with details such as the airline and destination, and rather like the baggage carousels at the end of a journey, passengers will just leave their bags on a conveyor.

It will check the weight, and then generate a unique identifying code for your bag and that journey, and send it to you mobile phone.

Passengers can already generate their own boarding pass at home or on their mobile phones but have to stand in line to deposit their bags to get a receipt (picture posed by models)

Tainwala says: 'Emirates and Lufthansa are working on this. There is no reason why luggage can't get connected. If you can communicate with your bag then why not the airlines?’

The technology does have some issues. It does not work if there are connections with different airlines who do not use the same technology.

There are also security issues - the airlines will not want passengers to be able to connect to their bags while in flight.

One idea that might not catch on is convincing consumers that luggage is a fashion accessory that needs to be replaced every six months to keep on trend.

In the next few weeks the firm will launch a range of limited edition Liberty print bags, in trade mark floral design, aimed at moving Samsonite into the world of fashion.

'We are trying to encourage people to change their bags every six months to keep pace with trends,' says Tainwala.

It's a big ask given some of his products retail for upwards of £600 a piece.

'The most important thing is luggage must be seen as a beautiful object of desire and part of your personality,’ he says. ‘When you walk with luggage it says something about you’.

The firm is looking to offer a trade in programme, similar to a car dealership, where customers are offered a rebate to trade up to the latest model.

In the next few weeks it will also start a trial in France and Germany where customers can personalise their bags online printing their names on the wheel handle, and changing the colours of handles and locks.

Eventually the whole bag will be able to be personalised in terms of colours and even images with bags emblazoned with pets, children and individual designs.

Since the beginning of commercial travel passengers have tried to make their bags look different to help identify them at the baggage carousel.





Learnt from Dailymail

Arepo Oil Vandals’ Attack Leaves Pregnant Woman Dead

A battle between some pipeline vandals and members of the Odua Peoples’ Congress has left a lady dead and four others hit by stray bullets from the fight which occurred at Arepo in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria.

Wednesday, April 28 was a sad day for the residents of Beachland Estate in Arepo as one of the residents and six months pregnant lady, Damilola, was said to have been hit on her way from the hospital where she had gone to visit her husband.


Although, it was not clear whose stray bullet killed Damilola, mourning residents of the estate, who shared their experience with with Channels Television, appealed to the government for improved security aid in their environment.


Days before the incident, the Nigerian Police had been withdrawn from protecting the pipelines and replaced by the OPC guards.


The building which used to be the security post for the protection of pipelines in the Arepo creeks had become dilapidated after the fight between the two combatants.


The Nigerian Police, however, said that it would wade into the crisis.


An amateur clip was obtained from an eyewitness which shows the pipeline vandals heading into the creek through Beach land Estate.


The video shows that the residential area, which is meters away from the Arepo creek, remains vulnerable to vandals’ attacks.

Learnt from Channelstvnews