Author: David Great

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the Defence Headquarters is implementing several new strategies that will require support of Nigerians and media in ending various security challenges in the country. Irabor stated this while delivering a Graduation Lecture for Course 30 of the National Defence College (NDC) on the topic “National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria’’ on Wednesday in Abuja. He identified the need to deepen strategic communication, implement a press code for responsible Journalism and pursue proactive security measures to reduce the impact of regional dynamics in the country. Irabor said there was need…

Chelsea are willing to offer French defender Wesley Fofana £200,000 a week if they can strike a deal with Leicester City, who want £85m for the 21-year-old. (Mail) Chelsea have opened talks with Barcelona for 25-year-old Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this summer. (Athletic – subscription required) De Jong would prefer a move to Chelsea over Manchester United. (Metro) Manchester United have held initial talks with RB Salzburg over the signing of 19-year-old Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko. (Sky Sports) Chelsea have also had a meeting with Sesko’s agent. (Fabrizio Romano) Bournemouth are close to signing Barcelona’s 33-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Neto. (Telegraph – subscription required) Tottenham have opened talks with Udinese over Italian left-back…

Premier League players will stop the pre-match anti-racism gesture of taking the knee before every match. Top-flight clubs started taking a knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement, which rose to prominence following the death of George Floyd in the United States in May 2020. Premier League captains took the decision after consulting with players. The gesture will instead be seen before certain rounds of games, including the Boxing Day fixtures and cup finals. Players and staff will also take the knee before the first and last matches of the 2022-23 campaign as well as dedicated No Room for…

President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of the week, expressed reservations over the degenerated welfare and working conditions of the nation’s judiciary, saying it was serious and would be addressed. He said this would be done despite the dire state of the country’s economy “currently battling insecurity, corruption and economic challenges,” aggravated by the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. Buhari stated this when he hosted the chairman and representatives of the Body of Benchers, a body of legal practitioners of “the highest distinction in the legal profession” in the State House, Abuja, on Thursday. According to the president, a…

Neymar scored twice as Paris St-Germain thrashed Nantes 4-0 to win the Trophee des Champions in Christophe Galtier’s first game as manager. Galtier replaced Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season and enjoyed a comfortable win in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Brazilian forward set up Lionel Messi’s opener before curling in a free-kick. Sergio Ramos made it three with a backheel before Neymar was fouled by Jean-Charles Castelletto, who was sent off, and scored the penalty. Man City reject Neymar-Silva swap Ligue 1 champions PSG have now won nine of the past 10 Trophees des Champions, the French equivalent…

Chelsea will make an offer for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and, if the 25-year-old Netherlands midfielder leaves the Nou Camp, the Spanish club will make a move for Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, 27. (Sport – in Spanish) Barcelona boss Xavi says he does not know if De Jong, who is also wanted by Manchester United, will stay with the La Liga club this summer. (Metro) Chelsea have offered 26-year-old Germany striker Timo Werner to Spanish side Real Madrid. (Marca) Chelsea are trying to sign French centre-back Wesley Fofana, 21, from Leicester City and 26-year-old Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. (Athletic – subscription required) Newcastle United have made an enquiry about 24-year-old Leicester City and…

The presidential flag-bearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and other dignitaries on Friday night joined worshippers as the Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, Abuja led the congregation to pray for peace and security of the country. Thousands of worshippers had thronged the church for its mid-year Praise and Worship Night, to seek the face of God over the state of security and other challenges facing the country. Notable among personalities at the programme were Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom and Mrs Edith Okowa, Wife of Delta Governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the…

The Ohanaeze Council of Elders says it is exploring the possibility of establishing a South-East University that will specialise in engineering, medicine, science and technology, and skill acquisition. This was contained in a communique issued by the council at the end of an inaugural meeting of Ohanaeze Council of Business Leaders, on Saturday in Abuja. Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, chairman of the Council,, who read the communique, said the meeting reflected on the past, examined the present circumstances, and looked into the future of Nigerians of Igbo extraction. “We have taken a decision today that we are not going to depend…

Newcastle United are in talks with Chelsea about a loan deal for 26-year-old Germany striker Timo Werner, who has also been linked with former club RB Leipzig. (Sunday Mirror) Werner is also reportedly ready to take a pay cut to join Bundesliga club, Leipzig. (Bild – in German) Brighton will not hold any more talks with Manchester City over selling Spain left-back Marc Cucurella, 24, and will only accept an offer of at least £50m. (Athletic – subscription required) Leicester City want more than £50m if they are to sell England playmaker James Maddison to Newcastle United, who have had a £40m bid for the 25-year-old rejected. (Times – subscription required) Magpies boss…

Sadio Mane scored his first goal for Bayern Munich as they beat RB Leipzig in a thriller to win the German Super Cup at the Red Bull Arena. Ex-Liverpool forward Mane struck after Jamal Musiala broke the deadlock. Benjamin Pavard added a third, before Marcel Halsterberg scored Leipzig’s first and Serge Gnabry made it 4-1. Christopher Nkunku rifled home from the penalty spot and Dani Olmo was also on target for Leipzig but Leroy Sane secured the 5-3 win in stoppage time. Bayern, league champions for the past 10 seasons, are regulars in this fixture, which pits the Bundesliga winners…