The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Barcelona fine-tune bid for Lionel Messi

    Barcelona are working out how to spend and then who to spend on this summer, but manager Xavi Hernandez is clear on who he wants to come through the door at the Ciutat Esportiva this summer.
    Economic Vice-President Eduard Romeu stated that they hope to have their viability plan approved by La Liga on the 19th of May, which provided they accomplish the targets set out in that plan, will allow them to sign players this summer.

    Read Also : Messi may get less contract to re-join Barcelona
    Lionel Messi has already been mentioned by various members of the institution as a target for this summer, and MD say that he is one of two priorities marked out by Xavi.
    With the departure of Sergio Busquets this summer, his other key recruit is Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. He sees the Basque midfielder as the ideal replacement for Busquets, and has rejected other targets.
    However signing Zubimendi does look like a major stretch for Barcelona. He recently signed a new long-term deal with La Real, and is close to being able to play Champions League football with them next season.

  • Phenomenal Haaland

    Phenomenal Haaland

    Norwegian named FWA Footballer of the Year in landslide win after stellar season

    Erling Haaland has been named as the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year after his stunning first season with Manchester City.
    The Norwegian has plundered a remarkable 51 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions, and taken City to the verge of becoming the first side to do the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup since rivals Manchester United in 1999.
    Chelsea star Sam Kerr has won the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award after yet another superb season for the Blues, with the Australia international having scored a stunning 27 goals this campaign.
    Kerr wins the award for the second time in succession, following in the footsteps of her Chelsea teammate Fran Kirby, who also won it twice in 2017-18 and 2020-21.
    Haaland won 82 per cent of the vote and becomes the third Manchester City player to win the award in the last five seasons, following on from Raheem Sterling in 2018-19 and Ruben Dias in 2020-21.
    “The two winners, Erling Haaland and Sam Kerr, are two outstanding winners. It’s incredibly well deserved,” said Daily Mirror chief football writer and FWA chair John Cross.
    “Erling Haaland, breaking all records before him. I cannot think of a more resounding and deserving winner.

    Read Also : Man City top as Haaland reaches 50-goal mark


    “The vote was huge, the turnout, and he took 82 percent of the vote. Bukayo Saka was second, but to be honest, Haaland was streets ahead.
    “His achievements and goals in the last few weeks have taken him to a whole new level.
    “I never thought Clive Allen’s record for Spurs of 49 goals in all comps in 1986-87 season would be beaten, but Haaland has been fantastic. He’s absolutely blown everyone away, with Man City still chasing their treble of course.
    “What a year it’s been for him and for City as well.”
    Haaland has already set the record for the most goals in a Premier League season, scoring 35 times in 32 games as City have pulled ahead of long-time leaders Arsenal at the top of the table.
    Pep Guardiola’s side are just one point ahead of the Gunners, but crucially have four more games to play while Arsenal have three.
    After Haaland broke the Premier League record last week, Guardiola said: “The impact of how he adjusts to the league was so quick, the first two goals were against West Ham [in the first game of the season] and he breaks the record against West Ham.

  • Howe’s Newcastle brace for top-four challenge

    Howe’s Newcastle brace for top-four challenge

    Newcastle United are embracing the challenge of qualifying for the Champions League and will play without fear in their final four games of the season to consolidate a top-four spot, manager Eddie Howe has said.

    Newcastle, who have not qualified for the Champions League in 20 years, currently sit third — two points ahead of Manchester United and three points above Liverpool, who have played a game more.

    When asked if Newcastle have the toughest run-in at the end of the season with Howe’s side set to play relegation-threatened Leeds United and Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, he said they had no reason to fear any of the teams.

    “It’s very difficult on paper to ever look at a set of fixtures and predict what’s going to happen. I think all Premier League fixtures, when you look at them on paper, are difficult,” Howe told reporters ahead of today’s trip to Elland Road.

    “We just have to do our thing, try and get more results. We’re capable of doing it regardless of who we play. It’s going to be in our hands, in our control, not the other teams. That’s the most powerful way to look at it.

  • Messi set for return as PSG farewell looms

    Messi set for return as PSG farewell looms

    Lionel Messi is in line to return for Paris Saint-Germain for today’s Ligue 1 game at home to Ajaccio after a club-imposed suspension for going on an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.
    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner sat out last weekend’s win at Troyes after missing a training session to fulfil commitments in his role as a Saudi tourism ambassador.
    The Argentine later apologised to the club and his team-mates, and resumed training with PSG on Monday, but his time at the Parc des Princes is coming to a sad end.
    After two uninspiring years in France, Messi looks set to play in Saudi Arabia next season as part of a blockbuster deal that would see him follow arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the Gulf kingdom.
    Messi, who turns 36 next month, will sign a “huge” contract with an as-yet-unnamed club, a source close to the negotiations told AFP this week.
    “Messi is a done deal. He will play in Saudi Arabia next season,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
    “The contract is exceptional. It’s huge. We are just finalising some small details,” added the source, who is not authorised to speak to media.
    PSG have yet to confirm the departure, while Messi’s father and agent Jorge insists the World Cup winner has not decided where he will play next season. But it appears certain his stint at PSG will conclude in June, after the club hopes to celebrate a record 11th French league crown.
    “If the club had wanted to renew his contract, it would have been done earlier,” said a PSG source.
    Lens can close the gap at the top to three points if they beat Reims this weekend, but the title remains PSG’s to lose with their four remaining fixtures against sides in the bottom half.
    Upcoming opponents Ajaccio are destined for an immediate return to Ligue 2 having won just once in 13 matches, with three of the four relegation spots all but decided.
    Auxerre, in 16th, are fighting to avoid suffering the same fate as Ajaccio and take on Brest, the team directly above them in the standings. Strasbourg bid to continue their late-season resurgence against Nice as the visit of relegated Angers provides third-placed Marseille the ideal chance to bounce back from defeat at Lens.

  • Woman tortures house-help for allegedly throwing baby on floor

    Woman tortures house-help for allegedly throwing baby on floor

    A 25-year old woman, Chinyere Ifesinachi, has been arrested for allegedly abusing her little house-help, Idinmachukwu in Nnewi, Anambra State.

    The suspect reportedly used cane and pestle to inflict varying degrees of injury on the victim who she accused of throwing her baby on the floor.

    The Nation gathered the suspect, a native of Alor in Idemili South Local Government Area but married to an Enugu man, blamed the devil for the act, pleading for mercy.

    Confirming the arrest, Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo said the case has been transferred to State Criminal and Investigative Department of the Police Command, Awka and would be charged.

    She assured the victim of her safety and would not be returning to her guardian’s house after she was taken to hospital for medical examination.

    Appreciating those who raised the alarm that attracted her attention to the incident, Obinabo warned that anyone caught abusing any child in the state must face the consequences.

    Read Also : Two women remanded for pouring hot water on 10-yr-old house help

    She also commended the Police command for continued partnership with her Ministry in ensuring such cases were handled professionally and in record time.

    Earlier, parents of the child revealed that their little daughter was sent to live with the suspect following her recent delivery of twins.

    “It was out of pity that we decided to send our little daughter to her after she delivered a set of twins which made it really difficult for her to cope.

    “Our daughter left us since March, but it is very unfortunate that barely two months of her stay, she got all kinds of ill-treatments from a woman who supposed to be her guardian,” they said.

    The Nation further learnt that Nigerians in diaspora have offset first set of hospital bill of the child while undergoing medical examinations to ascertain extent of damage caused by her abuser.

  • VIDEO: Speakership aspirant Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker aspirant Benjamin Kalu meet Lagos Gov Sanwo-Olu

    VIDEO: Speakership aspirant Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker aspirant Benjamin Kalu meet Lagos Gov Sanwo-Olu

    VIDEO: Speakership aspirant Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Speaker aspirant Benjamin Kalu meet Lagos Gov Sanwo-Olu

  • It will be a fatal mistake to deny North Central Presiding Officer position- Gagdi

    It will be a fatal mistake to deny North Central Presiding Officer position- Gagdi

    Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Navy and one of the candidates for the Speakership of the 10th House, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, has warned that it will be a fatal mistake for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to deny the North Central one of the presiding officers position in the 10th National Assembly.

    In a statement from his media office, Gagdi said the North Central zone will not accept a situation where it is only good to be used to gather votes and be discarded thereafter.

    Gagdi, who represents Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State, however said that only a presiding officer position in the 10th Assembly will be a fair compensation to the region in light of the consistent delivery of votes to the APC.

    He was said: “The North-Central region is critical to the electoral coalition of the All Progressives Congress and we will not be ignored.

    “What is happening now is the beginning of a negative trail of extracting votes for the region but neglecting us when it comes to issues of political equity. If we accept it, this will not be the end but the beginning.

    “I am aware that some people have said that the North-Central should accept this and wait to be compensated with executive appointments. I completely reject this defeatist recommendation.

    “There are six constitutional political offices in the Federal Government; the President and Vice President, Senate President and Deputy , the Speaker and Deputy.

    “There is no good argument in favour of denying the North Central one of these positions. And there is no good argument for giving two of these to any one zone.

    “What is happening now is an attempt to victimise one section of the country to favour the private ambition of a few people. There is no justice there, no equity and we must reject it without apology.

    “The party, or some people within the party have caused this mistake to be made, but it is not yet a fatal mistake. We can recover from it. All it takes is for men and women of goodwill and good conscience to set aside ego, accept that an error was made and correct the mistake.

    “The ability to retreat from error and correct course is a sign of leadership and sportsmanship. This is what the party and the country needs now; leadership and statesmanship.”

  • Wizkid’s first baby mama celebrates son at 12

    The first baby mama of afrobeat singer Wizkid, Sola Ogudugu, has written a sweet note to their son Boluwatife on his 12th birthday.

    In a lengthy post on her Instagram page, Sola spoke about her son’s unique personality, describing him as a sweet, calm, funny, smart, well-mannered, generous, and loving gentleman.

    She said being his mother means the world to her, and she is thankful to God for trusting her with him.

    Sola Ogudugu rained prayer on her son, noting how quickly time had passed.

    She wrote: “My Son shine,

    “So sweet, calm, funny, smart, well-mannered, generous, and a very loving gentleman.

    It’s the way you enjoy all my meals and gases me up for ME!!

    “Mama’s best friend and confidant.

    There’s nothing I love more than being your mama and I’m thankful to God for trusting ME with YOU.

    “12 whole years! Wow!!! TIME FLIES!!!

    12 years of signs and wonders it has been and I’m Grateful to God every day for you, for US and for what is to Come.

    “Boluwatifemi, May God’s word continues to stand firm and faithful to His promise in your life. GOD never fails.

    Boluwatifemi YOU WILL NEVER FAIL, YOU WILL NEVER FALL.

    You will not derail from God’s designated path for you.

    “You shall live to fulfill your God-given destiny and do great exploits (Eni Eleni oni gba se e se lagbara Olorun)…..

    “Happy 12th birthday to you Son, God bless and keep you in Good health, with inexhaustible wisdom, knowledge,, and understanding.

    “Love forever and always.”

  • Tolani Baj: I can’t date a man who split bills

    Tolani Baj: I can’t date a man who split bills

    Reality show star Tolani Shobajo aka Tolani Baj has stated that she cannot be in a romantic relationship with a man who splits bills.

    She argued that a man is expected to provide for the entire household.

    In a video she shared on her social media page, she stated: “Let me just throw this out there. One thing I know that I know that I want in man… FYI: I’m single. If you are trying to move to me because I’ve a lot of admirers here who send me nice messages, some I respond to, some I don’t. Know that I’m only interested in a man that is a provider.

    “I’m not interested in doing 50/50. I’m doing very well by myself. So, if a man is going to come into my life, you need to add butter to my bread like, my life needs to be even softer. So, if you know that you are not a provider and you are not generous, I’m not interested. And I’m telling you this from my chest. There’s no shame in having standards and knowing what I want.”

  • USSD N120b debt: Telcos secure NCC’s nod to fisconnect banks

    USSD N120b debt: Telcos secure NCC’s nod to fisconnect banks

    Telecoms operators said they have secured the necessary regulatory approval to disconnect deposit money banks (DMBs) over N120billion USSD debts.

    Acting under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), they said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted an approval for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to disconnect DMBs if they fail to pay the debt owed to operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services

    ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said the approval was granted because despite multiparty stakeholder efforts to resolve the situation and prevent any impact on services, led by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) and including the NCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN ) , along with MNOs and DMBs, the DMBs have continued to incur greater and greater debt, without making the commensurate payments.

    “Every time some progress is made, the DMBs come up with reasons to take stakeholders several steps back, in this matter.

    ” Members of the public will recall that MNOs and DMBs have had protracted disagreements concerning the appropriate USSD pricing model for financial transactions, transparency of charges, mode of collection and liability for payment of the outstanding and continuous service fees due to the MNOs (which currently stands at over N120billion).”

    Adebayo said Pantami and NCC CEO, Prof Garba Danbatta have made several efforts to get the banks to show good faith and sign an agreement, in the national interest, based on the resolutions reached at that meeting.

    ” Unfortunately, the patriotic intervention of the Hon. Minister and the NCC have been taken for granted by the DMBs, as two years after, the banks have failed to sign a final agreement.
    ” It is pertinent to note that the contract between MNOs and DMBs on the use of USSDs for banking transactions is strictly commercial and MNOs are at liberty to withdraw the services if it is established that the transaction is unprofitable to them. MNOs have invested billions of naira in expanding their systems to accommodate the USSD needs of DMBs over the years.

    “This has resulted in more Nigerians having access to banking services in addition to enabling banks to trim down costs by requiring less branches to service their growing customers. Unfortunately, MNOs are not getting paid for their services and the debt that stood at N42 billion in 2021 has now risen to over N120 billion.

    “It is obvious that the level of debt is unsustainable given the time/value huge cost of the continuous upgrade and operation of the systems and infrastructure dedicated to supporting USSD transactions of DMBs.

    “In view of the foregoing, unless DBMs meet their debt obligations, MNOs will disconnect all banks indebted to them for USSD services rendered,” Adebayo said.