Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti believes Victor Osimhen will get better with more games.
Osimhen returned for pre-season duty last week and has featured in two friendly games.
The Nigerian international failed to find the back of the net in Sunday’s friendly against Perugia despite Napoli winning 4-1.
“Victor has to find the best condition, but we know what his great potential is and we will go to work on his qualities not yet expressed,” Spalletti told a press conference.
The 22-year-old scored 14 goals in 27 league appearances for the Partenopei during the 2021/22 campaign.
Napoli will face Verona in their opening Serie A fixture on August 15.
LABOUR Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has congratulated Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory in Saturday’s governorship poll.
Obi also saluted LP Governorship Candidate, Mr. Yusuff Lasun, who came fifth in the contest for his sportsmanship, saying that the outcome of the poll was not a verdict on the fate of the LP in the forthcoming 2023 general polls.
In a statement, Obi, former Anambra State Governor, replied to critics who are mocking the party, saying that the Obidients only have numbers on social media.
His words: “I extend my warmest personal congratulations to Senator Ademola Adeleke on winning the Osun State Gubernatorial elections.
“I also congratulate the candidate of our Labour Party, Lasun Sulaimon Yusuff, and his running mate, Adeola Adekunle Atanda, for a hard-fought battle and their spirit of resolve and sportsmanship, despite the outcome.
“To our Obedient Movement Family and our supporters nationwide, the outcome of this particular election is not a verdict on our exponentially growing strength nationwide, especially when viewed against the fact that we are barely one month old in the party and we had to contend with forces that have been entrenched in the state for the last two decades.
“However, within this very short period of only a few weeks, the Labour Party has made its presence and political impact felt national. “We must strengthen our collective resolve not relent in our noble march to take back our country.
“Much work remains to be done, hence we must focus the totality of our efforts now on the forthcoming 2023 General elections.
“In the fullness of time, our message of rescue and recovery will resonate throughout the length and breadth of the Nation and most Nigerian electorate will buy in into our mission to take back Nigeria, for the purpose of rescuing it from continued decline, shift the National psyche from consumption to production and from sharing dwindling resources to creating wealth and frontally combating poverty.”
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has fixed Wednesday to hear a fresh bail application that was brought before it by the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is facing drug trafficking charge.
Kyari, through his team of lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, begged the court to release him on bail, insisting that his life is in danger at the Kuje Correctional Center.
Though the court had earlier denied him bail, Kyari, who hitherto headed the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, said he was compelled to make the fresh request, owing to the recent occurrence at the Kuje prison facility.
It will be recalled that terrorists had on July 5, broke into Kuje prison in Abuja and freed hundreds of inmates that includes alleged Boko Haram members.
It was reported that some of the insurgents that invaded the prison, made frantic efforts to locate Kyari’s cell.
Kyari had on May 24 when his trial came up, told the court that he felt unsafe at the prison facility, alleging that he was being remanded with hardened criminals.
His lawyer, Ikpeazu, said the fresh application for the court to reconsider the request his client earlier made for bail pending the determination of the charge against him, became necessary, considering the nature of assignments he undertook while performing his duties as a police officer.
He told the court that some of the inmates on remand at the Kuje Correctional Center, were people that Kyari’s team at the Police IRT, made their arrest possible.
Aside from DCP Kyari, three other police officers that are equally on trial over the alleged offence- ACP Sunday J. Ubia, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu- also begged the court to okay their release on bail on safety ground.
The 3rd defendant in the matter, Bawa James, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, did not join them in the application.
The NDLEA, through its Director of Legal Services, Mr. Sunday Joseph, urged the court to refuse the Defendants’ fresh request for bail.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA on Monday, opened its case against the Defendants by presenting its first witness before the court.
The witness, Mrs Patricia Afolabi, told the court that she is a Commander of Nacotics attached to the forensic unit of the agency, adding that part of her job specification involves receiving and conducting forensic analysis on drug exhibits.
She told the court that she had on February 7, received from the forensic liaison officer of the agency, Abubakar Aliyu, one sealed transparent evidence pack that contained 24 dispensing pack each.
According to the witness, each of the park, contained white substance measured at 0.5grams.
She said the package also contained a request form for analysis.
“From the analysis I conducted, which I labelled exhibit A-X, I found out that 21 of the exhibits contained cocaine, while exhibit H to G were found to be negative.
“I then issued an analysis report of my findings, which I signed and sealed. I repacked them as exhibits in a large envelope and addressed it to the officer in charge at NDLEA Abuja”, the witness stated.
Trial Justice Emeka Nwite admitted all the exhibits in evidence without objection from the Defendants.
While being cross-examined Kyari’s lawyer, the witness, said it was not true that every suspect in a drug deal must be present before such analysis could be conducted.
She said it was not customary that all suspects would be present when substances are also handed over for analysis.
Continuing, the witness, who said she has over 30 years experience, said: “I was not present when the drug was recovered. I was not present when NDLEA received it”.
She confirmed that NDLEA operatives are stationed in all entry points in Nigeria, including at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.
Asked if she knew if it was NDLEA that recovered the cocaine at the Airport in Enugu, the witness, said she was not aware.
“I don’t know who recovered the substance. I did not come in contact with any of them”, she added.
The court adjourned further cross-examination of the witness till Tuesday.
The NDLEA alleged that Kyari and his men, unlawfully tampered with 21.25kilograms worth of cocaine that they seized from two apprehended drug traffickers- Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwane, even as it also accused them of dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.
It alleged that the police officers committed the offence between January 19 and 25, 2022, at the office of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) IRT, Abuja, in connivance with one ASP John Umoru (now at large), contrary to section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Besides, Kyari, was said to have attempted to bribe a senior officer of the NDLEA with $61, 400. 00 at a restaurant in Abuja to prevent the testing of part of the cocaine that was seized from the two arrested drug pushers.
Both Umeibe and Ezenwanne, who were cited as 6th and 7th Defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, were arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu while attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country.
They had on March 7, when they were arraigned alongside Kyari, pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking charge.
Consequently, the court, on June 14, sentenced them to two years imprisonment in line with a plea bargain agreement they entered into with the NDLEA.
Gunmen masquerading as herdsmen have allegedly abducted no fewer than 15 residents of Mgbuji Eha-Amufu Community in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State on Monday.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped at about 7:00am along Mgbuji-Agu road within Mgbuji town while they were going to their farms.
A resident of the community, who identified himself simply as Onyekachi Odo, told The PUNCH that some of the villagers, who were going to their farms with tricycles, were intercepted by gun-wielding terrorists numbering over 20, and abducted the victims to an unknown destination.
Odo said, “Some of the victims, according to information reaching us, were picked on their farms.”
Spokesman for Mgbuji Community, Chijioke Ogbodo, confirmed the abduction on Monday. He decried the constant attack and abduction in the community by terrorists “while we have security agencies there doing nothing.
“Since they (Fulani militias) started attacking our community, neither the police nor the military had arrested any of the terrorists.
“We received the information on the attack this morning. We called all the security agents deployed to Eha-Amufu, but unfortunately they didn’t respond to our distress calls. This is our tragedy.”
He, however, called on the state government to do something immediately to rescue the victims, whom he said, their only offence was going to their farms to get what they would eat.
Earlier gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in police and military uniforms had, on July 5, kidnapped seven residents of the same community and shot three others.
Mgbuji and other neighbouring communities in Eha-Amufu have been under several attacks from September 2021 till date. Many people have been killed, hundreds of houses and properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed. So many others have equally been kidnapped for ransom.
Efforts to get reaction of the Enugu State Police Command were not successful as its spokesman DSP Daniel Ndukwe, could not pick his calls and had yet to respond text messages as of the time of filing this report.
The national chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has described the combination of the party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Bishop Isaac Idahosa as the dream team that will take Nigeria out of its political doldrums.
Professor Alkali stated this on Monday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja at the official unveiling of Bishop Idahosa as the running mate and vice presidential candidate of the NNPP.
The chairman said the dream team is what Nigerians have been waiting and yearning for as the candidates possess the technocratic and professional capacity to rescue Nigeria from its present state of insecurity and economic downturn.
He said NNPP is committed to building bridges of friendship and fraternity among Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.
Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has suggested the best position Lisandro Martinez should play for the Red Devils.
Ferdinand believes Martinez will be utilized in midfield just as much as in defense at Manchester United.
According to him, the Argentine will give Man United more options, adding that he can easily play in the midfield for Erik ten Hag’s side.
On Sunday, Man United confirmed they had agreed on a deal with Ajax to sign Martinez this summer.
“I think they will be a mix (where Martinez will play). He’s very comfortable playing both positions,” Ferdinand said on his VIBE with Five podcast.
“I think he could play in there [midfield] quite easily. I think they will pick and choose the games, and mix it up for when it suits them.
“If it suits them to play him in midfield and have the extra body and resilience in there, in front of the back four and that extra protection from someone who knows how to defend – then I think it may be utilized.
“But if we’ve got a lot of the ball and we are expected to dominate possession against the so-called lesser teams, then he may not be called upon in that position [midfield] and he may slot back into center-back position or maybe not start at all. He gives us more options and that is what we need in there.”
The wife of the Niger State Governor, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello has reiterated the commitment of the State government to sustaining its healthcare services by prioritizing the required partnership with relevant agencies and stakeholders in the health sector.
She gave the assurance during the flagging off Ceremony for First Round May/June 2022 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), in Minna, the state capital stressing that all resources to be provided for the wellbeing and improved healthcare services for the people.
Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello urged nursing mothers and women generally to take advantage of the free services of Save Motherhood and Vaccination Services as well as imbibing good and healthy lifestyles to ensure healthy living.
The Regional Sales Co-ordinator, Northern Nigeria of Biomedical Pharmaceutical Limited, Adams Abdullahi Danjuma, explained that as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility( CSR) it is assisting to deworm 16,700 children under five years of age in Niger state out of the 250,000 targeted for the country.
Danjuma noted that the partnership was geared towards improving the Children’s nutritional intake for better health and growth while commending the state government for the collaboration in ensuring the betterment of society.
The UNICEF representative however reassured us to remain open to supporting anything that has to do with women and children especially for their safety globally hence the full immunization to improve their health standards.
The World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Pharmacist Sani Abdullahi Galadima called on the state government to ensure the provision of human resources and prompt payment of counterpart funding to enhance effective and efficient service delivery.
In a separate remark, the UNICEF representative however reassured us to remain open to supporting anything that has to do with women and children especially for their safety globally hence the full immunization to improve their health standards.
A man has been arrested in Adamawa State for allegedly posing as a military officer and extorting money from residents.
The 22-year-old Paul Shaltha, a resident of Sabon Gari, in Sangere FUTY community of Girei Local Government Area, was arrested by the operatives of the state Police Command attached to the Girei Divisional Police Headquarters.
He is charged with extorting money from tricycle operators and members of the public, according to a statement obtained Monday from the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Ngudoje.
“Paul Shaltha, the self-acclaimed soldier was on Sunday arrested for extorting money from a tricycle operator who allegedly violated traffic rules,” the statement stated.
It added that the police operatives arrested the suspect while they were on patrol to ensure safety and security at Sangere FUTY.
“The operatives apprehended the suspect who was sighted parading himself as a military man, threatening and extorting money from the public,” the police stated.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect confessed to have extorted Micheal Stephen, a tricycle operator who allegedly violated traffic rules, among other people.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Delta said on Monday that 7,408 driver’s licenses approved in 2021 had yet to be collected in the state.
Mr. Udeme Eshiet, Delta Sector Commander, announced this in Asaba.
“It is worrisome that as of June, no fewer than 7,408 driver’s licences that have been processed and are yet to be collected across our licencing centres in the state,” he said.
He said that the corps would collaborate with the Delta Board of Internal Revenue to make the process of collection easy and quick.
“It seems that many motorists are reluctant to collect their licences, possession of a valid licence remains a major requirement for drivers.
“Having a valid driver’s licence gives motorists’ the legal backing and confidence to be on the road, and saves them unnecessary embarrassment,” he said.
Eshiet said that the command would intensify a campaign on the need for drivers to have their licences while on the road.
“The sensitisation will also be targeted at awakening the consciousness of the motoring public on the penalty for driving without a valid license.
On motorists yet to get their valid licences, Eshiet said defaulters risk an N10,000 fine or six months imprisonment or both.
“We are not after punishing people. We encourage all motorists to process their licence and be on the road without fear of arrest by our personnel,” he added.
Eshiet urged motorcycle and tricycle operators to ensure that they are registered before plying the road, adding that “everything we do is for the overall interest of the motoring public.
Former Chief of Staff to the Abia State Government and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Sir Mascot Uzor Kalu, has extended warm birthday...
