Arsenal have signed Southampton right-back Calum Chambers in a £12million deal.

Arsenal have signed Southampton right-back Calum Chambers in a £12million deal.

The highly-rated 19-year-old has only made 23 first team appearances for Southampton but Arsenal have seen enough to recognise his potential.

Chambers becomes the third player after Theo Walcott in 2006 and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011 to swap the south coast for north London.

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smail understands that manager Arsene Wenger plans to convert Chambers in to a centre back in the long term.

Wenger is impressed with the defender's versatility and it is hoped that in time he could become as influential as former captain Tony Adams.

Chambers said: 'I am so happy to be signing for Arsenal. They are a team I have much admired for their playing style, and a team who have been one of the top sides in Europe for many years. I'm looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates today and beginning preparation for the season ahead.

How Buhari escapes Death in Kaduna bomb blast: 82 killed, scores injured

 At least 82 persons were killed yesterday, and several others injured in two bomb blasts in Kaduna, targeted at former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. Both men, however, escaped unhurt.

In a statement he issued immediately after the incident, General Buhari declared that it was an assassination attempt and narrated how the suicide bomber tried to carry out the deadly assignment.

Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, in response imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna town after the blasts.

BringBackOurGirls: 100 days of Chibok girls abduction

The BringBackOurGirls group plans to hold a series of events across the world on Wednesday (today) to mark the 100 days since about 219 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted by the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

The group in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the events were meant to amplify its demand that the Federal Government should deploy resources to rescue the girls who had been in Boko Haram captivity since April 14, 2014.

The statement was co-signed by Hadiza Usman, Oby Ezekwesili, (Abuja); Aisha Oyebode;Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, (Lagos); Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, (Ibadan); Amina Hanga,(Kano); and Eleanor Nwadinobi, Enugu.

The BBOG said there would be a press conference in Ibadan at the BRECAN Centre and a special sit-out ceremony at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.

Gbenga Daniel to Amosun: Stop rubbishing my legacy

A former governor of Ogun State, Mr. Gbenga Daniel, has berated Governor Ibikunle Amosun for rubbishing all the “good works” he did during his tenure between 2003 and 2011.

Daniel, who is being prosecuted for financial impropriety by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, told journalists at his Mende home in Lagos on Tuesday that the Amosun administration had failed and he was working hard to ensure that Amosun did not win a second term in 2015.

He boasted that during his tenure, he built roads and awarded contracts to only indigenes of the state but Amosun had not built a single road but was only expanding the existing ones. He said the Amosun administration had incurred debt to the tune of N300bn in less than four years.

Airport harassment: Obiageli Ezekwesili Tell her Story

A former Minister of Education and a champion of the #BringBackOurGirls Campaign, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has narrated her ordeals in the hands of security operatives at the Abuja International Airport on Monday.

Ezekwesili was delayed for over 40 minutes by men of the Department of State Security, who harassed her based on “orders from above.”

Narrating her ordeals to members of the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, to whom she is a trustee on Tuesday, Ezekwesili gave a blow by blow account of her ordeals in the hands of DSS.

This was contained in a statement by the CANAN Executive Director, Pastor Laolu Akande, after the former minister visited the group in London.

Akande quoted Ezekwesili as saying that, “I arrived at the airport yesterday (on Monday) to travel to London on British Airline. First, after the luggage screening section, I moved to the Customs people, sitting right next to it and do a more thorough bag search. Rather than they handling my luggage as is the practice, there were three SSS men, who rudely took over before they could do so, and ordered me to open my bag.

“I was travelling light, with just my hand luggage leather roll on and my computer bag. I placed the bag for them (to see) and one was already furiously frisking through it when the Customs advised that a woman be allowed to do it. She was allowed and she did it.

“She finished, zipped up the luggage and they said I could proceed. But I asked that the computer bag be also searched, and they did.

Made in Nigeria Cars to be out by August: Cost N1.5m

Low and middle class Nigerians desiring to own brand new cars will soon realise their dreams as indigenous automobile manufacturing firm, Innoson Group of Companies, is set to launch its new products.

The firm, which manufactures cars, buses, tankers and other products, would from August 8  introduce brand new cars into the Nigerian automobile market at the cost of N1.5 million.

Chairman and Chief Executive of the company, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, who announced this in Enugu yesterday, said the cars which would be fully air conditioned and come with other gadgets were made for Nigerians to have access to brand new cars.

The costliest of the coming cars, according to him, would be bought at N3.5 million.

Chukwuma, who spoke at the road show organised  by Empower Nigeria at the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, told the students of the university how he started venturing into diversified enterprise.
He said: “I will launch my own cars in about two weeks time. And the cars will cost between N1.5 million and N3.5 million, depending on the cadre.”

The Innoson Group Chairman told the audience that his company was not into car assembly but actual car manufacturing.
Chukwuma said: “Some people think that my factory is an assembly plant, but they are wrong. We do not assemble, we manufacture.

“Eighty percent of Nigerians do not believe that we manufacture vehicles in my company. But we do manufacture.
“The raw materials are bought from different countries and some in Nigeria.”

Chukwuma said his workforce has hit over 7,500, expressing happiness that he had contributed immensely to the nation’s economy.
The founder of Empower Nigeria and President of Anabel Group, Nicholas Okoye expressed delight that such a successful entrepreneur like Chukwuma was able to honour the invitation to speak to the youths, regarded as the leaders of tomorrow.

ENUGU—Low and middle class Nigerians desiring to own brand new cars will soon realise their dreams as indigenous automobile manufacturing firm, Innoson Group of Companies, is set to launch its new products.
The firm, which manufactures cars, buses, tankers and other products, would from August 8  introduce brand new cars into the Nigerian automobile market at the cost of N1.5 million.
Chairman and Chief Executive of the company, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, who announced this in Enugu yesterday, said the cars which would be fully air conditioned and come with other gadgets were made for Nigerians to have access to brand new cars.
The costliest of the coming cars, according to him, would be bought at N3.5 million.
Chukwuma, who spoke at the road show organised  by Empower Nigeria at the Enugu campus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, told the students of the university how he started venturing into diversified enterprise.
He said: “I will launch my own cars in about two weeks time. And the cars will cost between N1.5 million and N3.5 million, depending on the cadre.”
The Innoson Group Chairman told the audience that his company was not into car assembly but actual car manufacturing.
Chukwuma said: “Some people think that my factory is an assembly plant, but they are wrong. We do not assemble, we manufacture.
“Eighty percent of Nigerians do not believe that we manufacture vehicles in my company. But we do manufacture.
“The raw materials are bought from different countries and some in Nigeria.”
Chukwuma said his workforce has hit over 7,500, expressing happiness that he had contributed immensely to the nation’s economy.
The founder of Empower Nigeria and President of Anabel Group, Nicholas Okoye expressed delight that such a successful entrepreneur like Chukwuma was able to honour the invitation to speak to the youths, regarded as the leaders of tomorrow.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/innoson-roll-n1-5m-cars/#sthash.uo96kR8M.dpuf

2015: Verbal attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan

Apparently preparing the ground for formal declaration of his presidential ambition, Kano State Governor, Rabio Musa Kwankwaso, yesterday, launched series of verbal attacks on President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of failing to provide security for lives and property in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, therefore, concluded that it would be difficult for Jonathan to win election in any of the 19 northern states if a free and fair election was conducted in 2015.
In five posts he dropped on his Twitter page, Kwankwaso chided Jonathan and his administration for making Nigerians flee the country and take refuge in nearby countries.

In the first post, the governor said: “I have not taken the time to go to the South to study what is happening, but I had time to study the North. In the 19 states, I don’t see any state where under free and fair election; people will go and vote for the status quo. The status quo is not good for anybody because they have failed to provide the basic services to justify why the people voted for this government.

He also accused the administration of allowing insurgents to thrive to a point that they are trying to create their own territory within Nigeria without any response from the government.

Why Jonathan is impeaching every body – Nda-Isaiah

SAM Nda- Isaiah, who until recently resigned his position as the Publisher of Leadership Newspapers, in this interview, wants all democratic arsenals to be deployed towards ensuring that President Goodluck Jonathan does not continue till 2019.

Nda-Isaiah’s grouse is hinged on his believe that the perceived incompetence of the administration, is responsible for the current disorderly state of the nation. He also says his decision to run for the presidency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was informed by  the desire to arrest Nigeria’s descent to doom. 

Excerpts:

YOUR decision to run for the presidency    has attracted mixed reactions. In the mind of some people, you are probably acting out a script while others don’t consider you a serious aspirant. Are you really serious about running?

I don’t think any body will say so. Maybe some people said so at the beginning but by now,I think it has become very clear to those people. Whose script are my acting? I am glad that you read my articles and I am sure that you and many of those who know me, understand my passion for this country and my desire to see it work.

WAEC Special Cenres: Anambra to close 486 Centres of Exam Magic

NO fewer than 486 centres of examination magic in Anambra State are to be shut down as part of measures to curb examination malpractices in the education sector, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, has said.

Speaking at the 10th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Academic Award for 2014, the commissioner observed that the miracle centres had been aiding and abating examination malpractices, especially during West African School Certificate Examinations, WASC, and National Examination Council, NECO, examinations.

According to her, the decision to shut down the magic centres became necessary due to the manner their operators have fashioned them to swindle unsuspecting, desperate candidates.
She said: “We have govern-ment and approved private schools that are saddled with the responsibility of training our children to become functional members of our society.”

AWKA—NO fewer than 486 centres of examination magic in Anambra State are to be shut down as part of measures to curb examination malpractices in the education sector, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, has said.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Academic Award for 2014, the commissioner observed that the miracle centres had been aiding and abating examination malpractices, especially during West African School Certificate Examinations, WASC, and National Examination Council, NECO, examinations.
According to her, the decision to shut down the magic centres became necessary due to the manner their operators have fashioned them to swindle unsuspecting, desperate candidates.
She said: “We have govern-ment and approved private schools that are saddled with the responsibility of training our children to become functional members of our society.”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/anambra-close-486-centres-exam-magic/#sthash.mMyvR85T.dpuf

Terrorism: Jonathan’s $1bn loan request dubious, says APC

The All Progressives Congress has described the request by President Goodluck Jonathan for a loan of $1bn as dubious.

The party added that had Jonathan accounted for the $20bn oil fund which was allegedly stolen, he would not be urging the National Assembly to approve a loan to fight insurgency.

The party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Sunday, that as long as corruption persisted, even if the money was approved, it would not be put to good use. The APC said that was why despite the N968.127bn that had been budgeted for security, Jonathan was still asking for more.

Yeh! Couple dupe victims N20m in fake auction sales

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a couple, Mr. Danladi Wushishi, and Mrs. Ojuolape Wushishi, for allegedly duping unsuspecting victims to the tune of N20m in fake auction sales in Lagos.

PUNCH Metro learnt that while Ojuolape was arrested on Wednesday, June 18, at Odeogbolu Street, Ijegun, Danladi, was apprehended at Allen Avenue on Friday, June 25.

Our correspondent gathered that the couple were arrested after a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, from one of the victims, Mrs. Chinyere Uzorchukwu, who was allegedly duped by the couple to the tune of N5m.

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad operatives had subsequently gone on the trail of the couple and arrested them.

The Wushishis had allegedly collected money from their victims under the false pretext that they had a container load of goods meant for customs auction sales at one of the customs terminals in Lagos.

It was further learnt that prior to the incident, the couple normally took their victims to a fake customs’ warehouse in Ikorodu, Lagos, and showed them containers which were sealed. However, after payments had been made, the victims would wait endlessly expecting their goods, which never came.

Apart from Uzorchukwu, the police said the couple had also duped one Nkechi Anokwuru of about N3.5m and one Mr. Livinus of about N19m in the fake auction deals.

Nigerian Doctors Begin Nationwide Strike

The Nigerian Medical Association yesterday announced the commencement of a nationwide strike today, after Federal Government failed to yield to their request.

The President of the NMA, Dr. Kayode Obembe, during a press briefing in Abuja on monday said, there was no going back from the strike and it starts yesterday, 1^st of July, 2014.

The NMA had sent 24-point demands to the government, including the discontinuation of recognition of non-medical doctors as Directors and Consultant title to any other health worker other than medical doctors, but their demands are yet to be met.

87-Year Old Woman With Tumour In The Eye Drags Bank To Court Over N253,000 Suspicious Withdrawal

An 87-year-old woman, Mrs. Sanusi Adebisi, has locked horns with the Union Bank Plc over the N253,000 withdrawn from her account in the bank via the Internet sometime in October 2013.

The claimant told the Magistrate’s Court sitting at the Ojokoro, Agbado area of Lagos that she just got N200,000 of the sum from her cooperatives to operate the tumour in her eye.

She told the court that the tumour had worsened since the scam took place because no longer had money to get rid of it.

Police nabs run-away pastor who allegedly operates Ikorodu ritual den

The Police in Lagos have arrested the General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry, a.k.a House of Mercy, located in Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos.He is reported to have been captured after a tip-off around Ebute Metta area yesterday...The 50 year old Anambra State indigene, Pastor Ernest Nwankwo allegedly sent female member of his church, Mrs Rosemary Chukwu to kidnap a boy for ritual purpose last week.When she was caught with her neighbor's son gagged in a box, she led the mob to his church and by the time they arrived at the premises, he had absconded..

Keshi's tweet confirming he's bowing out, Yobo announces retirement

For those who had any doubts, Stephen Keshi, took to his twitter account to confirm he's quitting the Super Eagles. See Yobo's announcement confirming his resignation as a player for the Super Eagles ..

Prominent Northern politician and former minister, Umaru Dikko, dies

Prominent Northern politician and one time Minister of Transport during the second republic, Umaru Dikko has died at the age of 78. His son, Bello Dikko confirmed his death.

Dikko was said to have died in the early hours of today July 1st at a London hospital where he has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. Family sources say he'd suffered three strokes  in a row. Mr Dikko was a minister during the Shagari Government (from 1979-1983). May his soul rest in peace Amen.

FIFA World Cup: Algeria truly the Desert Warrior

Germany booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Algeria in Porto Alegre on Monday night.

Following a goalless first period Germany claimed the lead in the second minute of extra time through Andre Schurrle before Mesut Ozil doubled their advantage with a late goal.
Abdelmoumene Djabou managed to pull one back for Algeria in the final minute but it was nothing more than a consolation as the referee blew his whistle for the last time.
The first half provided plenty of entertainment as Algeria started at a high tempo and went on to maintain it for much of the 45 minutes.

Algeria striker Islam Slimani was causing Germany centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng plenty of problems early on, with his searing pace causing goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to rush out of his area several times to snuff out the danger.
Neuer was first called into action in the ninth minute, making a last-ditch tackle to dispossess Slimani after the striker had broken free of the defence.
Mertesacker was also facing some stern scrutiny from Slimani, who looked break the offside trap once more in the 11th minute following a mistake from Jerome Boateng. However, the Arsenal defender managed to get a foot to the ball at the crucial moment, before passing to safety.

FIFA World Cup: Total disgrace for the reigning Champion as they got exit card

Rio de Janeiro: Spain's players had different explanations for the team's early World Cup exit.
Captain Iker Casillas said there was lack of commitment, midfielder Xabi Alonso thought there wasn't enough hunger. According to Fernando Torres, Spain was "just not good enough."

Chile's 2-0 victory on Wednesday meant the 2010 World Cup champion is the first title holder to exit after just two games following the opening 5-1 loss to the Netherlands.
Spain's squad of 23 players featured 16 who were part of its World Cup success in South Africa. Casillas, Alonso and Xavi Hernandez had been the engine behind the team's triumphs on the world stage, but were left exposed in Brazil.
"We didn't know how to maintain our hunger or that conviction needed to win a tournament. The joy and success we've experienced is over," Alonso said from the Maracana stadium. "We lost our knowhow, which has helped us win so many of these important games. It doesn't feel like our other tournaments."

Spain's players agreed that they did not read their opponents well, or know when to clamp down and control the games through keeping possession as it has been known to do.
"The commitment wasn't there," said Casillas, who owned up to perhaps his two worst performances in 156 appearances for Spain. "From the very first moment everything went awry."
Alonso, who along with Casillas and Xavi may have seen their international careers come to an end, said Spain was not mentally prepared for Brazil, while the team's physical state was not at its peak either.
"Normally cycles come to an end after a defeat. Maybe it would be best to think about making changes," Alonso said.
Torres did not want to jump that far ahead, as the Spain striker put a positive spin on the collapse, even suggesting he would not have changed a thing.
"We went down playing our style. It's what got us here and we're going to maintain it," Torres said. "We didn't do anything different than what we did in South Africa or in the two Euros we won. We came here with the same mentality and approached games in the same way.
"Those times we won, this time we lost."
Spain's demise was more made glaring by coach Vicente del Bosque's decision to stick with an aging group of players that had already won everything in international and club football.
"We thought we were in good shape, it was tough to even choose the 11 players that would line up, but the reality was quite different," Del Bosque said. "The second half against Holland and the first half against Chile were like a weight crashing down on us."
Del Bosque said the post-mortem would include deciding on his own future despite being signed up to lead Spain's bid to win a third straight European Championship title in 2016.
Spain wraps up its worst World Cup since France '98 on Monday in the Group B finale against Australia in the southern city of Curitiba.

FIFA World Cup 2014: Reigning world champions Spain fight for survival

The spectre of a humiliating World Cup group-stage exit hangs over champions Spain ahead of

Vincent Del Bosque has suggested that he will make "two or three changes", with goalkeeper Iker Casillas's position under particular scrutiny. However, there is bound to be a debate about whether Pepe Reina can be an able deputy as David de Gea struggles with a muscle problem.

The midfield also lacked the sense of urgency and failed to put pressure when deprived of possession. The Dutch were able to counter attack with ease. It might not have been the best idea to use the aging Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso and Andres Iniesta all together. Pedro Rodriguez and Juan Mata could also come into the starting XI to rectify this. It would also not be surprising if Gerrard Pique gives way for Javi Martinez.

today's game with Chile in Rio de Janeiro. If Spain lose and Holland avoid defeat against Australia, Vicente del Bosque's side will join Brazil (1966), France (2002) and Italy (2010) to be among defending champions to leave early. The same results would take Chile through. Jorge Sampaoli's aggressive, hard-working team have lost only twice in their last 16 outings.