A former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, has revealed that he had to take a loan in 2003 to buy the governorship nomination form for his party’s primary election.

According to him, his party had fixed ₦5 million for the form but he didn’t even have up to ₦500,000.

He explained how his friends and political associates raised money for him. However, it still wasn’t enough, and he had to approach the late elder statesman, Mallam Magaji Danbatta, then chairman of Kano Forum and got a loan of ₦1 million from him.

Naija News reports that Shekarau made the revelation while speaking at the maiden memorial lecture in honour of the late Magaji Danbatta.

“In 2003 my party, the APP, fixed its nomination forms at N5 million and I did not have even N500,000 but my co-contestant Ibrahim little was a millionaire and we learned he had already bought the forms. We managed to raise N1.5 million and N2.5 million was mysteriously raised but the money was still not complete.

” I approached the late Malam Magaji Danbatta, explained my situation and wanted him to support me with a loan to complete the money.He asked me to write and then approved and minuted to the DG Kano forum to pay,” Shekarau said.

The former Governor noted that the mantra of administration built on human capital development and social justice was partly an idea of the late elder statesman.

French Ligue 1 Champions, Paris Saint-Germain, are preparing a final bid for Napoli and Super Eagles striker, Victor James Osimhen.

Luis Enrique’s side, alongside Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, have been two powerhouses that have been linked with signing the former LOSC Lille man, but Napoli have not been budging during negotiations, as they’re keen on receiving nothing less than Osimhen’s €130m release clause.

Recall that Napoli had agreed to a £55m deal with Saudi Pro League side, Al Ahli, for Osimhen, but the 25-year-old rejected the offer, with his agent, Roberto Calenda, coming out to say the Nigerian still has a lot to offer in Europe.

As per Caught Offside, Luis Enrique has finally considered the option of bringing Osimhen to the Parc des Prince, with Goncalo Ramos’ opening-day injury forcing them back into the market.

According to a recent report from Gianluca Di Marzio, the French giants are preparing to make Napoli a take-it-or-leave-it offer worth between £42 – £50 million (€50 – €60 million), after seeing how little it took Conte’s side to agree on a deal with Al Ahli.

PSG’s offer is way below what Napoli want, and the offer will most likely be rejected, although the player has already agreed to personal terms with Le Parisien.

Since arriving in Naples in 2020, Osimhen, whose contract expires in the summer of 2028, has scored 76 goals and registered 18 assists in 133 games in all competitions, winning the Scudetto in the 2022/2023 season.

New head coach Bruno Labbadia has confirmed a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda.

Nigeria will first face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 7th September, before travelling to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, 10th September.

For these fixtures, Labbadia has selected three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Notable inclusions are Orlando Pirates defender Olisah Ndah, former Bendel Insurance goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, and Taiwo Awoniyi.

William Troost-Ekong, Victor Osimhen, and Ola Aina, who missed out under Finidi George due to injuries sustained during the AFCON tournament, have been recalled to the squad.

AFCON 2023 hero Stanley Nwabali, alongside Udinese FC’s Maduka Okoye and Obasogie, will compete for the number one goalkeeper spot.

The players are expected to assemble in Uyo on Monday, 2nd September, in preparation for these crucial matches.

Here is the full squad list

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)

Former Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen striker Bruno Labbadia has been named the new head coach of the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

The German-Italian tactician brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a manager, to a nation brimming with football talent but yearning for global success.

But who is Bruno Labbadia, and what can Nigerians expect from him? Here’s a deep look into ten key things you need to know about the man now charged with leading Nigeria to new heights.

1. A Prolific Striker in His Playing Days

Bruno Labbadia’s name might not resonate as loudly as some of the world’s top strikers, but his record speaks for itself.

Across a storied playing career in Germany, Labbadia netted 229 goals in 599 appearances.

His best seasons saw him score prolifically for clubs like Arminia Bielefeld and Bayern Munich, with standout campaigns including 29 goals for Bielefeld in 1998-99 and 21 goals for Darmstadt 98 in 1986-87.

This goal-scoring nous could hint at an attacking philosophy that might excite Nigerian fans eager to see their team play with flair and purpose.

2. Tactical Flexibility and Pragmatism

Labbadia has built a reputation as a manager who can adapt his tactics to suit the strengths of his squad.

Whether leading a team to survival in a relegation battle or pushing for European qualification, Labbadia has shown he can be both pragmatic and flexible. His stints with clubs like VfB Stuttgart and VfL Wolfsburg showcased his ability to shift between different formations and playing styles.

Nigerian fans can expect a coach who will tailor his approach to maximise the potential of the Super Eagles’ diverse talent pool.

3. Success at Top-Tier Clubs

Labbadia’s managerial career has seen him take charge of some of Germany’s most storied clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, and VfL Wolfsburg.

Interestingly, he led Stuttgart to a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga and a spot in the UEFA Europa League.

While he has faced challenges, Labbadia’s ability to guide teams through difficult periods and achieve respectable finishes speaks to his competence at the highest levels of the game.

4. The Relegation Specialist

If there’s one label that sticks with Labbadia, it’s that of a “relegation specialist.”

On multiple occasions, he has been brought in to save clubs from the brink of relegation — a task he has completed with remarkable consistency.

Whether it was rescuing Hamburg in 2015 or leading Wolfsburg to safety in 2018, Labbadia has shown he can steady the ship in turbulent waters.

Nigeria might not be in a relegation battle, but the former African champions are far from being in a great place in the World Cup qualifiers.

Labbadia’s experience, therefore, in high-pressure situations could prove invaluable in the cutthroat world of African football.

5. Italian Roots, German Discipline

Born to Italian parents who migrated to Germany as Gastarbeiter (guest workers), Labbadia’s heritage combines the passion and flair of Italian football with the discipline and efficiency of the German game.

This unique blend of influences is reflected in his managerial style — a mix of tactical rigidity and creative freedom.

For a Nigerian team that often struggles to balance structure with spontaneity, Labbadia could be the perfect fit.

6. A Connection to Youth Development

Throughout his managerial career, Labbadia has shown a willingness to trust and develop young talent.

At VfL Wolfsburg, he played a crucial role in the development of players like Josip Brekalo and John Brooks.

His ability to nurture and integrate young players into the first team could be a boon for Nigeria, a nation with an ever-growing pool of young, talented footballers eager to make their mark on the global stage.

7. A Record of Mixed Results

While Labbadia’s managerial career has had its highs, it’s also seen its share of lows.

He has been sacked multiple times, most recently from VfB Stuttgart after a poor run of results.

However, his ability to bounce back from setbacks and land jobs at other top clubs speaks to his resilience and the respect he commands within the footballing community.

Nigerian fans should be prepared for a coach who is not afraid to take risks but who also understands the demands of managing at the top level.

8. A Focus on Defensive Organization

One of the hallmarks of Labbadia’s teams is their defensive organization.

He often emphasises a solid defensive structure as the foundation for success. While this might not always lead to the most thrilling football, it has proven effective in grinding out results.

For a Nigerian team that has sometimes struggled with defensive consistency, Labbadia’s emphasis on organisation at the back could be exactly what’s needed to turn the Super Eagles into a formidable force.

9. A New Chapter in African Football

Labbadia’s appointment as the head coach of Nigeria represents a significant chapter for him.

This is the first time the 58-year-old gaffer will be taking up a coaching job outside of Germany. It even becomes more challenging as he is arriving in African football for the first time. There is no cause for alarm, though.

European coaches have had varying degrees of success on the continent, and Labbadia will be keen to make his mark by leading Nigeria to continental and possibly global glory.

His journey from the Bundesliga to Africa’s biggest footballing stage is one filled with potential, challenges, and the promise of success.

10. Labbadia’s first hurdles

With Labbadia’s appointment being with immediate effect, the German gaffer will be in charge when Nigeria begin their qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations next month.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to face the Benin Republic on September 7 before trading tackles with Rwanda three days later.

Labbadia’s first task will be to name a 23-man squad for those engagements over the coming hours and set a strategy in motion to guide Nigeria to positive results.

How the former FC Koln coach navigates the September hurdles will be a pointer to how he will be perceived in the Nigerian football space.

The president of All Farmers Association, Kabir Ibrahim, has said Nigerian farmers can no longer afford fertilizers to apply on their farmers due to its high cost.

Kabir Ibrahim said under former president, Muhammadu Buhari, between 2017 and 2020, farmers were able to purchase fertilizer at cheap rates.

Ibrahim regretted that the US dollar to naira exchange was responsible for why farmers could not afford to get fertilizers.

In an interview with Arise TV on Tuesday, Ibrahim explained that the Presidential Farmers Initiative (PFI) of former President Buhari was beneficial to farmers, as it helped to make fertilizers cheap for farmers to afford.

“I think during the Buhari days, the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) was formed as a means to make fertilizer available.

“Between 2017 and 2020, we received fertilizer like Coca-Cola. It was all over the place. The price was good. It was the first ₦5,500. After the pandemic, a further subsidy of ₦500 was given and we were buying it at ₦5,000.

“But from 2021 to date, it’s been a problem. The farmers cannot afford it,” he said.

Ibrahim continued on the reason for the high cost of fertilizer, “Well, the value of our currency went down and most of these things are imported, the components that they mentioned.

“We had a pact with Morocco. We were getting them at a very reasonable price and of course they were giving discounts. I think our government appealed to them and then after that, we began to import from other places at the prevailing market rates.

“Then the blenders had to make up whatever money is expended. So it has been a bad situation from that to 2021 to date.”

He explained that flooding has also been affecting farmers. He advised the federal government to return the fertilizer subsidy. He stated that farmers should be able to buy fertilizers at cheap rates like in 2017 for the country to have cheap food.

“Then of course, there are mentions of the effects of climate change and all that. You know when you have flooding, it even washes away the little fertilizer that you are able to put in one place and all that.

“In fact, I was at this meeting, we told them that we want the restoration of what we enjoyed between 2017 and 2020. Let the subsidy be. They really go down to the end users. We want to be able to buy fertilizer all over Nigeria, like Coca-Cola, and it should be affordable to us.

“That way, the hues and cries from consumers will not be as much, because we have to recoup our investments. The fact is that the insecticides, herbicides, the inputs like fertilizers, even labor, we are now paying through our nose system,” Ibrahim said.

The founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor, has shared his battle with cancer and how God healed him.

The clergyman made the disclosure while addressing his congregation.

According to the cleric, he left Nigeria for medical treatment in the USA and knew someone who also travelled to the United Kingdom with the same kind of cancer but never survived it.

He said: “While I was leaving for America, somebody I know was leaving for the United Kingdom with the same kind of cancer. It’s an aggressive cancer. The day I boarded the flight coming to Nigeria, he was in a casket coming to Nigeria.

“How do you face cancer and still stand like this?

“But I did not tell you when I was going to America full of cancer, you did not know, I did not tell you. I look normal because this is my way of life.

“Hear me, I was on my two legs. I walked onto the plane, but he wasn’t there.

“Please don’t clap because I am not better than him but God remembered my heart. I have always had a heart for God.

“I told God, ‘If you save me from this, I would double my service, I would serve you twice more’. God saved me and brought me home.”

Cristiano Ronaldo said he might end his illustrious football career at Al Nassr, noting that the Saudi Pro League side will “probably” be his last club before retirement.

Recall that Cristiano Ronaldo made the move to Al Nassr in January 2023 after leaving Manchester United.

Earlier this summer, there were speculations that the 39-year-old Portugal international could retire at his childhood club, Sporting Lisbon, but with his latest assertion, that might not happen.

In an interview with Portuguese TV channel Now, Ronaldo said, “I don’t know if I will retire soon, in two or three years, but probably I will retire here at Al Nassr.

“I’m happy at this club; I feel good in this country, too. I’m happy to play in Saudi Arabia and I want to continue.”

Having netted 898 career goals, including 130 for Portugal, Ronaldo has expressed his desire to continue his international career, stressing that his involvement with the national team remains a priority.

“When I leave the national team, I won’t tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one,” he said.

“Right now what I want is to be able to help the national team in their upcoming matches.

“We have the Nations League ahead of us and I would really like to play.”

This means that Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be invited to Portugal’s games against Croatia on September 5 and against Scotland on September 8.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to receive a special award from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in recognition of his remarkable feats in the Champions League.

With an impressive record of 140 goals in 183 appearances, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner holds the record of being the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer, surpassing notable talents like Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.

Note that Ronaldo’s extensive trophy cabinet includes five Champions League titles, one with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid.

President Bola Tinubu who took over from former President, Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2023, has taken some hard decisions in line with its policies and programmes.

In his move to restructure the country, Tinubu has removed some principal officers who served under the Buhari administration.

Here is the list of some principal officers who have been sacked by President Tinubu:

– President Tinubu on the 9th of June, 2023 suspended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

– President Tinubu on the 14th of July, 2023 suspended the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.

– The President on the 19th of June sacked all the service chiefs appointed by Buhari.

– The National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) was replaced with Nuhu Ribadu the same day President Tinubu sacked the service chiefs.

– President Tinubu also sacked the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Bashir Gwandu.

– The President in August disbanded the board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by Lauretta Onochie.

– President Tinubu in 2023 directed the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz, to commence 90-day pre-retirement leave.

– President Tinubu on the 1st of September, 2023 sacked Ondo, Cross River NDDC Nominees, Make Fresh Appointments.

– President Tinubu sacked FIRS boss, Muhammad Nami, on Thursday, September 14, and his special adviser on revenue, Zacchaeus Adedeji, was subsequently appointed as the acting chairman of the tax commission.

– President Bola Tinubu, in October, announced the sacking of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and among the affected agencies were the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

– President Bola Tinubu, on the 13th of December, 2023 approved the suspension, removal, and replacement of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) under the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

– President Tinubu, on the 8th of January, 2024, approved the immediate sack of Babatunde Irukera as the EVC/CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

– The President also approved the dismissal of Alexander Ayoola Okoh as the Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

– President Bola Tinubu, on the 15th of June, 2024 directed the resignation of Mr. Mamman Ahmadu from office as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

– Tinubu on the 15th of July, 2024 sacked Adekanmbi, and reinstated Prof Zabbey As HYPREP Coordinator.

– President Bola Tinubu, on the 26th of August, 2024 approved the appointment of new Directors-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

– President Tinubu on 19th of August,
2024 dismissed Jalal Arabi from his position as Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and has appointed Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Executive Chairman of NAHCON.

Many filling stations operated by independent oil marketers have now fixed the pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, at between N900 and N1,000/litre.

Owners of these stations seem not to care about the cost of the product at retail outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company. Petrol prices at NNPC stations range from N568 to N617/litre. This often leads to queues at the stations.

As Nigerians raise concerns about the high cost of the commodity by independent petrol dealers, the Federal Government has also vowed to shut down filling stations that will be caught dispensing PMS at exorbitant rates.

It declared this through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, stressing that it was not in the interest of Nigerians for marketers to profiteer in the sales of PMS.

Independent oil marketers claimed that they’ve been buying petrol from private depot owners for as high as N850/litre since last week and that this was why the pump prices were high.

However, the spokesperson of the NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, argued that the petrol price reports that the regulator gets from its officials at the depots were different.

“Our depot people see a different price because we ask them to publish the prices at the depots every day and it is not N850/litre. Our field agents at the depots give us a different figure,” he said.

When told that some filling stations operated by independent marketers in Lagos and many other states dispense their products for as high as N900 and N1,000/litre, the NMDPRA official said such outlets would be brought to book if apprehended.

“If we get these outlets, all we do is to try and shut them down, because NNPC is the company that brings in the product and they tell us how much they sell as their ex-depot prices to off-takers. And we sit down together and work out the margins and there is no way it should be that high,” Ene-Ita declared.

The NMDPRA official further noted that there was no way the agency could reconcile the high cost of petrol sold by independent marketers.

“Do you have these stations displaying the high prices on their pumps?” Ene-Ita asked.

Our correspondent responded in the affirmative, and the regulatory agency’s official declared again, “Once we get these outlets, we are going to shut them down. NNPC tells us how much they sell and there is no way the pump prices should be that high. We don’t expect it to be higher than N650/litre.”

The NMDPRA spokesperson warned marketers involved in profiteering to desist from the act, stressing that the agency would not fold its hands and allow operators to cheat Nigerians.

Findings by our correspondents show that marketers are making more profit as the fuel crisis rocking the country has refused to end.

The PUNCH reliably gathered that owners of filling stations have seized the opportunity to add to their margins as regulators could not enforce any particular price.

Due to the low supply from NNPC, private depot owners were said to have hiked the price of petrol as high as N850/litre

The depots sell to independent marketers, who could not get the product directly from the NNPC at about N570/litre like the major marketers.

In return, the independent marketers sell a litre of petrol to motorists and other Nigerians at prices ranging from N850 to N900 or even N1,000 in some remote areas.

“That is why no marketer is complaining of low margins again. This is the time for them to make money. The only issue is that getting the product is not that easy,” a source told The PUNCH.

“The price is high because the supply is low. It is a matter of demand and supply. The price will continue to be up, at least for now. It Is an opportunity for the filling stations to add to their margins. This is an abnormal situation. Normalcy is restored, and the regulatory authority can monitor. Can the regulator monitor anybody now?

“Imagine when you pay about N30m to NNPC to order petrol and it takes about one month to get the product. Assuming you take N30m from a bank with this interest rate, is that not a problem?’ a marketer stated.

Sources at the Lagos depot informed our correspondent anonymously that the NNPC is still rationing the product despite assurances that normalcy would be restored last Wednesday.

It was gathered on Monday that marketers could only get half of whatever metric tonnes they bid for.

A depot operator said though the situation had improved a bit, the supply is still far below what is required to ease off the queues and make the product available for all Nigerians.

Another source hinted that the Federal Government is now prioritising the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to reduce the long queues in filling stations.

“The queue is easing a little bit in Abuja. Almost 70 per cent of the trucks are going to Abuja. The directive is that they should go to Abuja,” the depot operator confided in The PUNCH.

Contrary to claims that the marketers might be hoarding fuel, the manager of a filling station in Ogun State, who identified himself simply as Adeyanju, said no one hoards fuel because it will continue to dry up.

“The way PMS is, if you put 33,000 litres in a tank, if you hoard it for too long, by the time you want to haulage it, it may not be more than 31,000 or 32,000 litres. It will be evaporating. No tank operator will ever hoard fuel, not even at this time when people are making money,” the manager disclosed.

He added that no miracle could clear off the queues in this new week, asking the NNPC to ramp up supply.

On Monday in Osogbo, Osun State, petrol was sold by filling stations owned by independent marketers at prices ranging from N900 to N1000 per litre.

However, the few major marketers that dispensed petrol, sold the product for N700 per litre.

Many filling stations within the metropolis did not open to customers, as commercial intra-city bus operators increased their charges by 50 per cent due to the high cost of fuel.

Petrol was priced between N980 and N1000 at stations owned by independent dealers in Damaturu and its surrounding areas.

The same scenario played out in parts of Lagos and Ogun states, where petrol went for as high as N950 and N1,000/litre at independent marketers’ stations.

Following the reluctance of many marketers in Kano State to open their filling stations despite having the commodity in stock, black markets continued to thrive.

A litre of PMS at filling stations owned by independent marketers still sold for N980 and N1000/litre in Kano.

Following this negative development, black marketers have fully returned to the business and are having a field day. PMS at the black market sells for N1200 and N1300.