Barcelona have already closed three signing this summer. Vitor Roque will only join the team a year from now, but Inigo Martinez and Ilkay Gundogan are already in Catalonia for the new season.

The German midfielder is set to be presented later today and will immediately link up with Xavi Hernandez in training. With Oriol Romeu also on the brink of completing his move to Barcelona, the focus is now on sales.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugranas still believe that they can complete a big sale this summer. Their effort so far have not borne any fruit, but there is now a clear idea of the players considered saleable.

Pablo Torre and Nico Gonzalez are two stars who are on the brink of sealing an exit. Both players will leave the club on loan given the severe competition in the middle of the park.

The administration also has its focus on shipping out other players who spent the previous season on loan at various clubs. Of the six players on that roster, only Samuel Umitti is no longer on the club’s wage bill having terminated his contract.

Barcelona are working hard to reach an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur over Clement Lenglet’s transfer, while Alex Collado is very close to completing a move to Real Betis.

The two remaining players, Sergino Dest and Ez Abde will likely travel to the USA with the team, hoping to impress Xavi Hernandez and win a spot under his tutelage. Ironically, the former makes the trip as a result of having no offers on the table while the latter does so through merit.

Apart from the petty loans and minor moves, Barcelona hope to complete at least one large-sum departure in the coming weeks. Three candidates sit strong on that front- Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Ferran Torres.

Of the trio, the Brazilian winger appears to have the lowest chance of leaving considering his impressive form last season. The departures of the other two will depend on their willingness to explore new avenues, something they have not shown so far this summer.

[BarcaUniversal]

The atmosphere at the Mike Adenuga Centre in Lagos was electric as industry professionals and thought leaders gathered to celebrate the successful conclusion of the World PR Day 2023 event.

Organized by GLG Communications, a renowned PR and reputation management firm, the event was a captivating affair that showcased the immense talent and contributions of the Nigerian PR ecosystem.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Dr. Reuben Abati, an accomplished media practitioner; Lanre Olusola, the founder of the Life Coaches Association of Nigeria (LCAN); Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, the Group Managing Director at CMC Connect (Perception Managers) and President of the African Public Relations Association (APRA); Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, a public speaker and corporate executive; Nkechi Ali-Balogun, the CEO of NECCI Limited; Charles O’Tudor, the Group Principal Consultant of Adstrat BMC; and Peter Ukhurebor, the founder of Black at Cannes, among others.

In her address, the event convener, Omawumi Ogbe, described the cocktail reception as an opportunity for stakeholders and thought leaders to push the boundaries of public relations and set the agenda for the Nigerian PR industry. 

The event featured insightful speeches from prominent speakers. Peter Ukhurebor shared his thoughts on harnessing the power of black creativity, highlighting the significant impact that diverse perspectives and experiences bring to the PR industry.

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, in his address, emphasized the crucial role of public relations and how it can be harnessed to drive positive change and success.

The GLG World PR Day event also unveiled this year’s honorees of the PR Power List published exclusively by The Guardian.

The 2023 PR Power List, a comprehensive compilation of 50 exceptional PR and communication professionals who have made significant contributions to the Nigerian PR industry,  showcased both returning honorees from previous years and new entrants who have distinguished themselves over the past 12 months.

see full list below 

Explaining the rationale behind the PR Power List, Omawumi Ogbe emphasized the importance of recognizing PR practitioners and elevating the profession in Nigeria.

She acknowledged that PR professionals often work tirelessly behind the scenes, making magic happen for their clients. The PR Power List provides a platform to celebrate these unsung heroes who contribute to transformative change in business and society.

Furthermore, the list aims to foster creative excellence across all aspects of public relations and communications.

[MarketingEdge]

Jack Butland wasn't prepared to spend any longer on the Manchester United bench and chose to join Rangers in order to play regular football.

The former England international goalkeeper, 30, secured a loan move to United for the second half of last season from parent club Crystal Palace. Butland didn't make a single appearance whilst backup to David de Gea, who's also moved on from Old Trafford.

Having never truly made his mark at Palace over three seasons with the Eagles, Butland decided upon his release in June that he'd find a new club where he could be No.1. Scottish giants Rangers promptly snapped up his signature to give him the opportunity which he craved.

"As much as I enjoyed Palace and as good as United was, I missed playing. And that's important to me," the 30-year-old affirmed, as quoted by the Scotsman. "All right, 'Could you be at United?' Well, yes, but what would the rest of my career look like? That was important to me. I wanted 30 onwards to be something l like back on as a successful period and not one that drifted away."

During his first few years in the professional game, Butland was tipped to be a future England No.1 but after moving to Stoke and suffering relegation from the Premier League, his stock dwindled. Now looking to reset at Ibrox, the ex-Birmingham star is eager to put the past few years behind him.

"I mean, I am still 30," Butland reiterated. "There's a long way to go. A lot happened early. If I went through my career without any setbacks and without any moments it would have been a miracle. These things happen. One or two of them happened at a good time, not in my prime if you like."

[mirror]

The Federal Government has withdrawn the Mobile Police Force personnel attached to several Very Important Persons, including ex-governors, former ministers and lawmakers.

The order, which was contained in a police wireless message from Mopol 45 Force Headquarters, Abuja, affected Daura Buhari, brother to former President Muhammadu Buhari as well as former First Lady, Aisha Buhari’s sibling and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The development came a few weeks after the IG vowed to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.

He had also announced plans to establish the Special Intervention Squad, which according to him, would have 40,000 highly trained police officers including selected officers from the Police Mobile Force.

This, the IG said, was to allow the police to take back its place in the “internal security architecture” of the country.

Egbetokun, who spoke during a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja, on June 26, stated, “We shall affect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties.

While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.

“In a bid to kick-start the process of regaining our pride of place in the internal security architecture of our dear country first and foremost, modalities for the creation of a new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated.

“This special squad shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.

“These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.

“By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”

Egbetokun set up a committee headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Adeleke Bode, to assess and advise on how the new policies could be implemented seamlessly.

[Tribune]

Russia said on Monday that it was pausing its participation in an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export its grain by sea despite a wartime blockade — a deal seen as essential to keeping global food prices stable — and would resume participation only after its conditions were met.

The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov told journalists on Monday that the agreement was “suspended.”

The deal, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative and brokered by the United Nations and Turkey a year ago, had been set to expire on Monday. There was no immediate response from either party on Monday to Russia’s announcement.

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR) will exchange views with a cross section of Ndi-Anambra in a Town Hall Meeting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Thursday, July 20 by 6pm.

The Town Hall Meeting which is by invitation will be chaired by Sir (Dr) Emeka Offor, and the event will hold at Bolton White Event Centre, 31 Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

Guests are expected to be seated by 5.30pm.

Solution is here.

Signed
Sir Paul Nwosu
Commissioner for Information,
Anambra State
July 17, 2023

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to a fresh 18-year high in June, after President Bola Tinubu scrapped fuel subsidies and allowed the currency to weaken before declaring a state of emergency to control the cost of staple foods.

Prices increased 22.79% in the year through June from 22.4% the previous month, according to the data published on the National Bureau of Statistics’ website. 

The upswing was fueled by a 25.3% increase in food prices from 24.8% a month earlier and a slight uptick in core inflation to 20.3%. The median estimate of seven economists in a Bloomberg survey was 23%. Prices rose 2.1% in the month. 

[Bloomberg]

Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP, says he will not accede to requests by his friends, party members and supporters to join him in celebrating his birthday and even present some gifts.

Obi, however, appealed to those who may desire to celebrate him with gifts to look around them and extend the gesture to the people in need.

In a statement issued on his verified Twitter handle on Monday, the former Anambra State Governor said he has always maintained that the sacrifices for a better Nigeria must now start from everyone, the leaders and the well-placed, insisting that the state of the nation gives cause to pause and ponder.

While suggesting that there is far too much insecurity, violence, and bloodshed in the country,’ Obi said he would want to celebrate in a Nigeria that works for all and which Nigerians can be proud of, claiming it is the true celebration that will benefit all Nigerians.

He wrote, ”Wednesday, 19th July 2023, marks my 62nd birthday. While I remain immensely grateful to God for His infinite mercies, I still maintain my decision of over 20 years that I will not celebrate my birthdays in today’s Nigeria, with the current deplorable state of the nation.

”However, some friends, members of the Labour Party, and the OBIdient Family and supporters have asked how they can join me in celebrating that day and even present some gifts.

”Let me humbly and respectfully appeal to all those who desire to celebrate me with any kind of gifts to look around them and extend such gifts to the people in need, especially in these difficult times.

”I urge them to visit hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the aged and people with disabilities and offer them generous gifts. They can also visit schools of basic studies in remote areas and support them with the basic amenities they need.

”Those who wish to do more can visit various IDP camps in different parts of the country. I intend to do the same thing. Aside from sharing my time and resources with the less fortunate people around me, I plan to raise money for schools, hospitals, etc.

”I have already said that the sacrifices for a better Nigeria must now start from us, the leaders and the well-placed. The state of our nation must give us cause to pause and ponder. There is far too much insecurity, violence, and bloodshed.”

[DailyPost]