Author: Opalim Lifted

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius on Tuesday signed for German second-division side Schalke, the latest in a series of clubs as he tries to revive his career. The German goalkeeper has bounced around teams in England, Germany and Turkey but has failed to secure significant game time. The 31-year-old was widely criticised following an error-ridden performance in Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League final loss to Real Madrid in 2018, his last match for the club. Five days after the match, Karius was diagnosed with concussion, having collided with Real defender Sergio Ramos. Most recently he was with Premier League club Newcastle…

Former Manchester City captain Tony Book has died at the age of 90. One of the most successful players in the club’s golden era of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Book won domestic and European honours as a player and a manager. He began wearing the armband in 1967 and led the club to the First Division title in 1968, the FA Cup in 1969 and the double success of the League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup a year later. Tony Book moved into management in 1974 and guided City to a further League Cup triumph in 1976.…

•Feeding for inmates increases by over 40%. •Inmates’ biometric is a must. •Officers found wanting, will be dealt with decisively. It’s a new dawn at the Nigeria Correctional Service as the acting Controller General (CG), Sylvester Nwakuche, held a rare interactive session with officers, where marching orders, warnings, etc., were given to the officers. Nwakuche stated that officers need to give morning and evening briefs of happenings in the custodial centres: “You are to ensure that daily morning and evening briefs of important happenings in the custodial centres and commands reach the office of the DCG Operations between the hours…

Former Cameroon captain and coach Rigobert Song has been appointed to take over the Central African Republic’s national team, the country’s sports ministry said on Tuesday without disclosing any terms. The 48-year-old Cameroonian, who played as a central defender for his country at four World Cups and then coached the Indomitable Lions at the finals in Qatar in 2022. He takes over from the Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in October during their unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. They are, however, still involved in World Cup qualification and resume their campaign in March with home matches…

The English Premier League (EPL) has not charged any clubs for breaches of its profit and sustainability rules (PSR) after all were deemed financially compliant for the 2023-24 season. Most top-flight clubs had to submit their accounts for the 2023-24 season by 31 December and the Premier League is satisfied that all 20 members have remained within their PSR rules. Under PSR regulations, clubs cannot post losses of more than £105m over a three-year period. Everton and Nottingham Forest were both sanctioned last season for PSR breaches, and were docked eight and four points respectively. Leicester City avoided a points…

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, and his wife, Cristina Serra, have decided to part ways after 30 years together. The divorce is “totally cordial, stable and friendly”, El Periodico reported. The couple, who met in 1994 and married in 2014 near Barcelona, had reportedly grown apart, particularly after Guardiola’s managerial roles in different countries over the past five years. The couple shares three children: Maria, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 17. Serra, a Brazilian journalist, has been living in Barcelona with their youngest daughter, Valentina, while Guardiola remains in Manchester. Guardiola and Serra spent Christmas together with their…

Gospel singer and fitness enthusiast Timileyin Ajayi, has been arrested in Orozo, a border community between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and Nasarawa State. Timileyin Ajayi was found with a decapitated head in a black nylon bag during a church service on Sunday. The incident is said to have occurred during a thanksgiving service marking the end of a seven-day fast at the church. According to the church’s Bible Study Teacher and General Secretary, Caleb Umaru, the suspect’s actions were first noticed by a member, Victor, who saw Timileyin Ajayi moving suspiciously near a nearby river. Victor alerted another…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Command have arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over alleged diversion of N1,294,337,676.53 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Six Naira, Fifty Three Kobo) belonging to the Katsina State Government. Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesman on Monday revealed this in statement. The suspects are, Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri. They were arrested following a petition from the Katsina state government alleging that the suspects…

Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has been impeached. 52-year-old Obasa has been speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly since 2015. Before his impeachment, Mudashiru Obasa faced accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement. He faced accusations of recklessly allocating N17 billion for an assembly complex gate. Additionally, Obasa faced accusations of disrespecting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Mudashiru Obasa: Celebrating a loyal, dependable political ally, torchbearer of younger generation at 50 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly questioned him about the alleged infractions. Mudashiru Obasa, who was said to be away in Atlanta, USA, at the time…

On the occasion of this year’s Armed Forces Remembrances Day (January 15), I send my heartfelt commendation and congratulations to the Chief of Defence Staff; officers and troops of our military for their sacrifices and service to the nation. I also salute the Inspector General of Police and all our police officers, together with the other security agencies and paramilitary forces for their good works, dedication and commitment to service. Our military and security forces are not without blemish (nobody is, actually), but on this occasion, I choose to focus on their successes and unflinching sacrifice in defending our fatherland.…