Aisha Buhari says lavish VIP treatment by Nigeria High Commission ‘simple protocol’ for her status

Lavish receptions organised by the Nigerian High Commission for the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, and her entourage, during her visits to the UK, were nothing more than “simple protocol” for a personality of her status, her spokesperson has said.
Mrs. Buhari initially denied abusing privileges offered by the commission in London as reported by Sahara Reporters.
She adjusted her statement after the newspaper presented evidence indicating the budgeting of several thousands of pounds for her trips to the UK.
After the first story reported that the High Commission spent up to £7,000 and provided other privileges each time Mrs. Buhari travelled to the UK, the first lady denied abusing any privilege and described the report as false.

Ambode wants Marathon Fun Parks in Lagos

To ensure that Lagosians follow the 2017 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, wants Marathon Fun Parks in Lagos during the 2017 edition slated for February 11.
The Marathon Fun Parks will give Lagosians who cannot make it to the finish line or line the route to cheer the runners, an opportunity to be part of the event in a relaxed environment that is fun and gives room for bonding.

Mikel moves to China after legendary success at Chelsea

Just like that, Mikel Obi has left Chelsea, the team where he grew from a boy to a man and became a father. In his 10 years at the London Club, Mikel rightly divided opinions, but his achievements for the club have to be hailed and will forever be remembered.
In his 10-year stay, Chelsea became a global club and won major titles that had not been won before he came in from Norway as a gangling ball-playing midfielder.
Chelsea’s official site said, “His finest moment came in 2012 in Munich when his incredible discipline in midfield protected the defence and helped us to claim our first Champions League triumph.”

Nigeria’s Wilfred Ndidi resumes at Leicester City

Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has resumed fully at Leicester City after he was officially unveiled on Thursday by the reigning Premier League champions.
Ndidi trained with the Foxes on Thursday and is set to do that again on Friday even as Coach Claudio Ranieri mutes an early debut for his new Nigerian acquisition.
Ranieri said on Leicester City official website: “We’re very happy to have Ndidi here – he’s an impressive player with a big future. We’ve followed him a lot and we hope he can impress our fans quickly”.

INTERVIEW: “There was a lot of challenges,” Flamingo captain says on poor World Cup performance

The year 2016 has come and gone but some events now in the history books cannot be wished away.
One of such was the performance of the Nigeria women’s U-17 team, the Flamingos. The team posted Nigeria’s worst ever showing at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, as they were beaten blue and black at the Jordan 2016 fiesta.
The team finished bottom after three group games; failing to score any goal in over 270 minutes of football action.

Real Madrid equal Barcelona’s unbeaten record

Real Madrid on Saturday equalled FC Barcelona’s Spanish record of 39 games unbeaten in all competitions with a comfortable 5-0 La Liga victory over Granada at the Bernabeu.
The European champions had ended FC Barcelona’s record-breaking run last season with a 2-1 win at the Camp Nou.
Now, they have not been beaten since going down 2-0 to Wolfsburg in the first leg of their 2015/2016 UEFA Champions League quarter-final meeting last April.
Isco hit a brace, with Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro also on the scoresheet against struggling Granada as Madrid moved six points clear at the top of the table.
Isco opened the scoring with a low shot from inside the area after a mistake by the Granada defence while trying to move the ball forward.
Benzema — from what appeared to be an offside position — added to the lead off the rebound of a shot by Luka Modric.

7 things we saw last week | Mikel leaves Chelsea as 105-year-old sets cycling record

Mikel Obi ends 10-year Chelsea sojourn
Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, left Chelsea FC of London after almost 11 years of service. The 29-year-old, who had been sidelined by his new manager, Antonio Conte, decided to begin another phase of his football career with Tianjin TEDA of China. In 10 years at Chelsea , Mikel played over 350 games and won 10 major trophies that included the UEFA Champions League and Europa League – the firsts in Chelsea’s history. Here is wishing Mikel the best of luck in the Chinese Super League.
Athletics power couple retired

NBA raises 23-member panel to review law practice in Nigeria – SEE FULL LIST

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Saturday raised a 23-member committee to review the legal profession in Nigeria, amid concerns over falling standards of legal education and practice.
The panel was constituted by Abubakar Mahmoud, the chairman of the NBA, and is to be headed by Anthony Idigbe, while Aminu Gamawa will serve as the secretary.
“The Nigerian Bar Association has repeatedly expressed concerns in the falling standard of legal education and legal practice,” the NBA said in a statement Saturday night. “This is a disturbing phenomenon that must be addressed urgently and adequately.”
Isiaka Olagunju, the secretary of the NBA who signed the statement, said the committee was expected to submit its report on or before April 30.

The Gambia: Buhari, other West African leaders in closed door meeting

Some West African leaders including President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja met behind closed door to discuss the political impasse in The Gambia.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Presidents of Liberia and Senegal, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Macky Sall as well as ex-Ghanaian President John Mahama are attending the meeting.
The representative of the United Nations to West Africa and The Sahel, Mohamed Ibn Chambas is also attending the meeting while the Vice –President of Sierra Leone was still being awaited as of the time of filing this report.

Lack of fire extinguishers, caution signs, other accessories remains bookable offences — FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, said on Monday that motorists without road safety accessories will be booked in accordance with the law.
Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone this afternoon that Nigerians should not misinterpret the content of an internal memo that was leaked a few days ago.
The circular, dated December 27, 2016, was widely distributed on social media.
It contained instructions to all commands of the FRSC across the country to the effect that road traffic officials should not book any driver whose vehicle has no fire extinguisher and other accessories on demand.