Wenger allays Arsenal fans’ fears, to replace Sanchez, Ozil with world-class players

 Arsene Wenger moved to allay the fears of Arsenal fans on Tuesday saying he would replace both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil with world-class players should they end up leaving. Wenger Both Sanchez, who came close to moving to Manchester City on the final day of the last transfer window in August, and Ozil’s contracts are up at the end of the present season. Sanchez’s attitude and commitment to the club have been questioned by fans and some of his team-mates did not congratulate the 29-year-old Chilean after he scored a double in the 3-2 Premier League win over Crystal Palace last Thursday. Wenger, whose transfer dealings have been a sore point with sections of the Arsenal support, said he would also be on the look-out for players in the present transfer window. “We are open to any position for the exceptional player that can give us a plus. It depends a little bit on the injuries as well,” said the Arsenal manager on the eve of their match with reigning Premier

Ezenwa, Ali, Okpotu, 20 others make CHAN 2018

 Head Coach Salisu Yusuf on Tuesday in Abuja released his final squad of the Super Eagles B for the 5th African Nations Championship (CHAN) beginning in Morocco on Jan. 13. Goalkeeper and skipper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, as well as midfielder Rabiu Ali and marksman Anthony Okpotu headline the 23-man list. CHAN Eagles Ezenwa is joined for the goalkeeping duties by Oladele Ajiboye and Theophilus Afelokhai, while defensive stalwarts Osas Okoro, Stephen Eze and Kalu Okogbue also made the list. Midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Ekundayo Ojo and forwards Sunday Faleye and Emeka Atuloma were also listed. The team’s players and their officials are expected to fly out of the country in a few days time. They are to continue preparations in Morocco ahead of Nigeria’s first match of the campaign against Rwanda in Tangier on Jan. 15. The 2014 bronze medallists will also take on 2014 champions Libya at the same Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier on Jan. 19, before facing

Family gives Ogunde grand museum, unveils competition on his songs

Two important things happened in the Ososa, Ogun State, home of legendary dramatist, Chief Hubert Ogunde, on Thursday. First, his family unveiled a competition on the translation of his songs. According to them, there is the need for children, youths and non-Yoruba-speaking people to also savour the beauty and messages of the songs. Hence, it unveiled the contest that will reward the winner with N500,000 while the first and second runners-up will get N200,000 and N100,000, respectively.

Events that shaped 2017

Banky W and fiancee, Adesua Etomi at their wedding engagement. Photos: lailasblog
Tofarati Ige & Olushola Ricketts
Sunday Scoop takes a look at some of the most outstanding events in the entertainment industry in Nigeria
Banky W and Adesua’s wedding
When Oluwabankole Wellington, aka Banky W, proposed to Adesua Etomi, many people thought it was a rehash of the roles they played in the movie, Wedding Party, where they acted husband and wife. But it later turned out to be the beginning of something special in their lives. It is not an understatement to say their wedding was the biggest in the entertainment industry in 2017. The white wedding, which was held in November, at Cape Town in South Africa, was the talk of the town for weeks. They had earlier had the traditional wedding ceremony at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

I’m divinely inspired to write – Ifeoma Eze

Pastor and author, Ifeoma Eze, has described her authorship as a divine assignment from God.
The graduate of Parasitology and Entomology from the Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, who is also a senior pastor at Zion Heritage and Miracle Ministry, Lugbe, Abuja,  said, “God has given me a divine mandate to help solve family and marriage issues. Though my first book, Exploring your Heritage in Zion, focuses on the indicated subject, I have written some others based on marriages and family issues. For instance, Succeeding in Marriage after Wedding is aimed at giving solutions to the problems confronting marriages in this part of the world. It contains the principles to adhere to in order to have a blissful marriage.”

I’ll win a re-election because America has started doing well again —Trump

President Donald Trump has indicated his desire to run for a second term, saying he is certain to win a re-election.
The US president was speaking to the New York Times about the ongoing tensions with North Korea when he made his remark.
During the interview, Trump had revealed he would run again for President at the next election in 2020 – and predicted he would win.

Marketers insist petrol can’t sell for N145 per litre

Fuel marketers on Tuesday insisted that they could no longer import Premium Motor Spirit at a control price of N145 per litre.
They also said they were not responsible for the recent scarcity of the product witnessed across the country.
The Chairman of Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed these to State House correspondents at the end of a meeting stakeholders in the oil industry had with Federal Government’s delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

God has asked me to run for Presidency — Bakare

The Serving Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said God has told him not to end his political career as he had earlier contemplated.
Specifically, Bakare, who contested as the vice-presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change in the 2011 presidential election, said God told him to run for the Presidency.
The Lagos-based cleric spoke in the early hours of Monday during the watch night service at the Latter Rain Assembly in the Ogba area of Lagos.
Giving a rundown of the 12 major things he said God had revealed to him would happen in 2018, Bakare explained that God had not told him when the “appointed time” to run for the presidency would be.

Police arrest alleged Badoo cult’s herbalist

                    Suspect Fatai Adebayo alias Alese. Photo: Lagos State Police Command
The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said it has arrested alleged herbalist working for the notorious murderous gang, Badoo. His name is given as Fatai Adebayo, alias Alese.
A press release signed and emailed to The Ashiwaju.org  by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, SP Chike Oti, stated that the notorious activities of the cult group was prevalent in Ikorodu and Epe axis of the state.

It noted that through their activities, the group had murdered many people by smashing their victims’ heads with mortar and pestle.

Oppose my husband, risk divine wrath, Fayose’s wife warns politicians

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs, Feyisetan Fayose, has said that those who oppose her husband’s decisions are “obstructing the work of God,” warning that the “consequences will be too much for them.”
Mrs. Fayose said God had revealed to her a long time ago that her husband was going for a position of authority higher than the governorship he currently holds.
According to a statement issued by her Special Assistant (Media), Gbenga Ariyibi, Mrs. Fayose said this in Ado Ekiti during the New Year’s thanksgiving service.
She said though God did not reveal to her the time and the position God has scheduled for her husband, the word of God would manifest at all costs.