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UEFA has selected its team of EURO 2016 and there are a few surprise omissions.

An expert panel picked the team on behalf of European soccer’s governing body, as UEFA revealed the 13 technical observers who selected the squad.

Those observers are led by UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu and include Sir Alex Ferguson, Alain Giresse, David Moyes, Packie Bonner, Mixu Paatelainen, Savo Milosevic, Peter Rudbaek, Gareth Southgate, Thomas Schaaf, Jean-Francois Domergue, Gines Melendez and Jean-Paul Brigger.

Champions Portugal have four players included, while Germany has three and both Wales and France have two.

Some moderate surprises include no Gareth Bale, Hugo Lloris or Nani, but overall you can’t argue too much with the team selected.

Below is the best 11 players selected by UEFA with — as you’ve probably realized by now — only players from the four teams who made the semifinals included.

Let us know if you agree with this XI in the comments section below.



EURO 2016 Team of the Tournament (4-2-3-1): Rui Patricio (Portugal); Joshua Kimmich (Germany), Jerome Boateng (Germany), Pepe (Portugal),Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal); Toni Kroos (Germany), Joe Allen (Wales); Antoine Griezmann (France), Aaron Ramsey (Wales), Dimitri Payet (France); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/07/12/uefa-announces-team-euro-2016/

The head of one of Chile’s leading anti-corruption watchdogs has resigned after his name appeared in the so-called Panama Papers, a massive leak of secret offshore financial dealings.

Gonzalo Delaveau, the president of Transparent Chile — the local branch of anti-graft group Transparency International — submitted his resignation Monday after he was named as a director or representative of at least five companies registered in the Bahamas.

The information emerged in the leak of millions of documents from Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca that has put a host of world leaders, celebrities and other prominent figures in the hot seat over their secret financial dealings.

Delaveau, a lawyer who was acting as interim head of Transparent Chile, had been due to step down in a week.

“Given that I have one week remaining, given that I can’t even continue as director, the damage that has been done to the institution, I believe it’s best to step aside,” he told CNN Chile.

Besides his role at Transparent Chile, Delaveau is also a director at Andes Copper, a Canadian mining company.

The offshore firms linked to Delaveau are among some 200 suspected shell companies tied to Chileans including prominent executives, sports stars and a former finance minister, according to investigative journalism group CIPER.

The group is one of the more than 100 media organizations worldwide wading through the trove of 11.5 million leaked documents along with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/04/06/head-transparency-international-chile-resigns-panama-papers/

South Africa’s top court on Thursday delivered a damning verdict against President Jacob Zuma, saying he had ‘failed to uphold’ the constitution in a case over public funds spent upgrading his private residence.

Zuma “failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution as the supreme law of the land,” said Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng in a ruling delivered by the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.

The court also ordered President Jacob Zuma to pay back the public funds spent upgrading his private residence, to settle the corruption scandal that has rocked the government.

“The president must personally pay the amount determined by the national treasury,” Chief Justice Mogoeng added.

In a swift response, South Africa’s main opposition party has launched a bid to impeach President Jacob Zuma after the country’s top court ruling.

“Today’s ruling is clear in this regard: President Jacob Zuma’s action amounts to a serious violation of the constitution, and constitutes grounds for impeachment,” the Democratic Alliance party said in a statement.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/31/repay-money-spent-private-residence-supreme-court-tells-zuma/

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu has denied that the Federal Government unbundled the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

The Minister while speaking to correspondents at the State House after a meeting with the Federal Executive Council, FEC, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja said; “We have not unbundled NNPC. We had a press conference yesterday where I explained this. What we have simply done is reorganisation. We have five business entities focused on business: Upstream, Downstream, Refineries, Gas and Power that are there before.

“There is also Ventures that capture all our little companies that were not having proper stewardship. They are run by individuals who report to the GMD. The NNPC is still a whole. There is nothing new that has happened.

“I have tried to explain this and I am sure the NNPC workers are members of the family, they will understand. We are going to have a meeting, and they will be made to understand. Perhaps the engagement has not been good enough.

“NNPC has not been unbundled in the sense of breaking up NNPC into distinct institutions. I am concerned. I don’t want the industry shut down. I am sure we are going to resolve the issues very soon”.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/09/kachikwu-not-unbundled-nnpc/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Wednesday arraigned two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) for allegedly offering bribe and gratification to pervert the course of justice.

The two senior lawyers, Mr Rickey Tarfa and Dr. Joseph Nwobike were arraigned separately at a Lagos High Court in Igbosere.

Tarfa was arraigned before Justice A. A. Akintoye on a 27-count charge bordering on failure to declare his assets, offering of gratification to public official, among others while Nwobike was arraigned before Justice Raliat Adebiyi on a five-count charge of allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to public official.

According to the charge sheet, Nwobike was accused of intentionally and directly giving N750,000 to Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court through his UBA account number 1002664061 to influence the said judge in the exercise of his official duties.

The defendant was also accused of giving N300,000 indirectly to Justice Yunusa through Awa Ajia Nigeria Limited account no. 0000971931 domiciled in Access Bank belonging to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court to influence Justice Yunusa in the exercise of his official duties.

Tarfa, on his part, was alleged to have on February 10, 2016 failed to declare his assets in the declaration form that was issued him by the agency when he was arrested.

EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo also accused Tarfa of having made false statement on February 5, 2016 to one Usman Zakari, a senior detective superintendent with the EFCC in the course of his duty by claiming that he was 43 years old.

The anti-graft commission also alleged that the senior lawyer on June 27, 2012 intentionally gave the sum of N1.5 million to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of a Federal High Court, directly through his Zenith Bank account.

He was further alleged to have intentionally given the same judge the sum of N500,000 on the same day in order that the judge refrains from acting in the exercise of his official duties.

The prosecutor also alleged that on January 29, 2014, the defendant intentionally gave Justice Ajiya the sum of N1.5 million from his account, while on October, 3, 2014, he also gave her the sum of N835,000.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail on self recognition.

Tarfa’s case was adjourned till March 22 and 23 while Nwobike’s case was adjourned till April 11, 21 and 22 for trial.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/09/2-senior-lawyers-arraigns-efcc-alleged-bribery/

The 127.6-kilometre-long expressway connecting Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State andLagos State, popularly referred to as “Lagos-Ibadan expressway”, is the oldest and remains one of the busiest inter-state routes in West Africa. As major traffic artery, it has certainly hosted its share of accidents over the years.

While many have attributed the frequency of these accidents to the bad state of the road, there are other factors that play major roles in facilitating these accidental calamities. From drunk-driving to the negligence of road laws as well as speeding, these factors but can be adequately tackled and accidents prevented by taking key steps. Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site throws light on steps motorists can take to avoid accidents on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Stay away from the ‘fast lane’

It the expressway, so it feels natural to kick up your gear and soar…but remember that speed thrills and also kills. While on the expressway, keep a rein on your speed and stay in control of your vehicle. Also, stay away from the fast lane and instead, use the center or right lane. Doing so ensures you have more escape routes should a problem suddenly arise that requires you to quickly change lanes. Actually, most of the accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway occur in the left lane, so stay away already reduces your chances of being involved. An added perk is to stay away from the fast lane ensure that less conspicuous to the highway patrols and will not be flagged down so often.

Do not drive on drugs and alcohol

This may sound cliché but, alcohol and drugs, not just cocaine or intoxicants like marijuana but any kind of drug basically, alter the normal body system and so can impair judgments as well as slow down reflexes. Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or other drugs can cost you your license – or your life. So many accidents that have occurred on the expressway have been as a result of drivers who insisted on heading out while on drugs or alcohol. Even if you think it is just only one drink or one smoked joint, do not take the risk, stay off the wheel and save not just your life, but the life of others.

Check your vehicle before you set out.

Know its limits. A lot of drivers just set out with their vehicles, without first checking to see if the engine and brake are in perfect condition or the tires well inflated and screwed in. This negligence puts the driver as well as other motorists at risk. Drivers must ensure their vehicles are in good working condition- there should be no compromise on the quality of brakes and tires. Aside from checking the engine, rate the performance limits of the vehicle. Pay attention to how your particular vehicle reacts in certain situations, how long it can last on the road and how many people plus cargo it can take per time. The risk of a fatal crash also increases with every additional passenger or luggage.

Ignore aggressive drivers, do not tailgate.

If you have driven past the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, you will be well aware of the kind of crazy drivers that parade the road. They are far from courteous and flaunt road rules with no remorse. They also like to challenge other drivers by doing such things as speeding recklessly or cutting other drivers off. Do not engage this kind of drivers or try to beat them at their own game, the best thing to do is to get as far out of their way as possible. Rather than play their games and get them even much more infuriated, slow down and let them pass. The quicker you can get them away from you, the safer you will be. Do not tailgate any other vehicle or allow others to tailgate you. Leave a three-second cushion between you and the car in front of you and begin your journey early enough so you do not have to speed to make up time. Again, large tractor-trailers need extra space when making wide right turns, so, stay away from the right side of anyone you see on the expressway.

Lock your Mobile phones away. Avoid other in-car distractions.

Mobile phones are not the best companion on the road and should only be used for emergency purposes only. And even before being use, the driver should cut off motion and make a parking by the road side to take or make the call. Talking on the phone, while driving, is a straight ticket to an accident as it is extremely distracting. If you must use your cell phone while driving, try a hands-free model or enable a Bluetooth connection with the car’s radio. It is important basically to avoid all forms of distractions, from loud music to doing things like eating or brushing your hair (yes, some people who actually do these things). If you are not concentrating solely on your driving, you will not be prepared for anything that is up ahead and you put yourself at risk of an accident.

for more road tips visit www.motoprof.com

36-year-old gay South African singer, Koyo Bala, who is HIV positive has died at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, after battling with anal cancer for two years.

Koyo Bala was part of a pop gay group known as 3-Sum made up of Bala‚ Amstel Maboa and the late Jeff Moyo, who were popularly known in the South African entertainment industry as gay rights activists.

In a report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria, Koyo Bala had disclosed publicly that he was HIV positive in 2011.
It was also disclosed that he was, earlier in 2014, diagnosed of anal cancer which he lived with for two years before it now claimed his life.

His last tweet about his illness in February reads: “I pray 2 God everyday 2 help me pass this cancer #itshard #pains #wontgiveup #canwinthisbattle #cantsleepofpains”.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/09/sa-gay-singer-dies-anal-cancer/

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, ordered re-negotiation of the N789 billion fine slammed on South African telecoms company, MTN, by Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC. The President gave the order at a joint news conference with South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma in Abuja, following which Nigeria and South Africa signed over 30 bilateral agreements. This came as the South African President promised to return Nigeria’s confiscated arms purchase funds seized by the South African government.

Buhari also said the reluctance of MTN to register all subscribers’ lines within the deadline, was the reason for the sanction imposed on it by the NCC, noting that the delay led to the death of no fewer than 10,000 Nigerians in battle against Boko Haram.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/09/pmb-orders-re-negotiation-mtns-n780bn-fine/

Agence France-Presse (AFP), declared yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption can only succeed if he zeroes in on former President Goodluck Jonathan.

An editorial written by the AFP recalled that Buhari had previously warned the Nigeria’s monied elite that it was “no longer business as usual.

“But with Nigeria in economic crisis as a result of the collapsing price of oil, analysts say Buhari can ill afford to alienate Jonathan and his allies, even if it threatens success in court”, the international news agency warned.

The news agency said though acknowledged that many anti-graft trials were ongoing by the administration of Buhari, they may spin off to imperil his war against corruption, if Jonathan was not brought in as a key witness to the alleged crimes of the persons standing trial at different courts of law in the country.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/06/why-buhari-must-prosecute-jonathan/

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria cannot afford to sell forex to parents seeking to fund their children education abroad.

Buhari said his position on the forex allocation issue followed a discovery that the high demand for forex by parents of the students studying abroad to pay their wards’ tuition fees had been putting unnecessary pressure on the Naira, which in turn affects Nigerian economy.

Convinced that the practice is responsible for the current free fall of the currency, Buhari said the country could no longer continue to sell dollars to parents to sponsor their wards in schools abroad.

He, however, said any parent who could afford forex outside of the official window could go ahead.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/06/nigeria-cant-afford-forex-demand-for-students-studying-abroad-buhari/

The Federal Government has been warned to drop its plan to arrest the former militant leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, on the grounds that it would be counter-productive.

This warning was issued by youths from Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri, Delta State, yesterday who threatened that they would not allow their kinsman be humiliated.

A frontline Niger Delta youth leader, Azaiye Piniki, who spoke on behalf of Gbaramatu youths in Warri, said what Tompolo is facing was politically engineered; noting that the resultant effect of the ex-militant’s arrest could destroy the fragile peace in the country.

Tompolo was declared wanted by a Federal High Court after repeatedly refusing to honour summons to do so to face charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

They also rejected the government’s proposal to scrap the Nigerian Maritime University project proposed by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) saying it was also politically motivated.

Piniki noted that, the university would provide jobs for unemployed Nigerians and further stem the tide of youth restiveness in the riverine communities of the Niger Delta region.

“Before the government took that decision, it was expected that the Minister should have visited the site for on-the-spot assessment of the extent of work done and not sit in Abuja and cancel a project of such magnitude, which is capable of making the economy of the area to boom, thereby raising the standard of living in the area.

“So, I’m joining very many other Nigerians to advise the Minister of Transport to urgently retrieve the statement which I believe might possibly be a slip of tongue and visit the area to see things for himself,” he said.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/06/arrest-tompolo-face-war-gbaramatu-youths-warn-fg/

A senior Pastor in Rev. King’s Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), Rt. Rev. Ernest King, has threatened that Nigeria and the entire world will sink rather than have their condemned General Overseer, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, hanged as ordered by the Nigerian Supreme Court recently.

Rev. Ernest issued the threat during an interview during the week.

He said: “The whole world will sink rather than have Rev. King hanged. You people don’t know who he is. Nothing will happen to Dr. King. He told us that he is going to somewhere and he will come back. And he doesn’t talk and it will not come to pass.”

The cleric alleged that the Nigerian judiciary had collected bribed from a certain group of people who wanted to see Rev. King out of the way, and therefore delivered partial judgment against the CPA general overseer.

His words: “The Supreme Court judgment against Rev King is good for the nation because, God will use it to cleanse the judiciary system. It has shown that the Nigerian Judiciary is partial and that anyone that brings money to the judiciary automatically is favoured with judgment. But everyone will answer for whatever he or she has done.

“Forget the witches, wizards and the wicked mafias in Christendom, they are judging themselves. Nothing will happen to Dr. King and his church. The kingdom we are talking about has come to stay; the future of the church is in no way going to be affected by the judgment.”

Rev. Ernest also threatened that those who passed the death sentence on Rev. King and said unprintable words about them and their families. Rev. King was convicted first by a Yaba Magistrate court for the murder of Ann Uzor on June 22, 2006. The death sentence was confirmed by a Court of Appeal much later and recently by the Supreme Court.

Besides the muder of Ann, he was also accused of setting ablaze five other members of the church like Vivian, Jessica, Chizoba, Kosisochukwu and Uche.

According to Ernest, Rev. King is being persecuted because he refused to tag along with some clerics who claim to be Christians but are actually perpetuating evil.

He maintained that Rev King is a true servant of God because his resolve to fight evil had earned him persecution.

“That is the only way to know the true people of God because they are fighting evil, then evil will fight against them. Whoever tells you that he is serving God and there is no one persecuting him, my brother run away from such person because he is not serving God. This shows why God himself has refused to allow evil people to continue in power and in churches.

“The truth of the matter is that Dr. King was upstairs in house when the fire happened. He heard someone shout ‘fire, fire.’ He ran down stairs, quenched the fire, took the child to the hospital and deposited money for her treatment. Because they wanted money the first group of policemen returned on the December 31, 2006 and made away with about N5million.”

The cleric said that the group was charged with illegal breakage, for stealing about N5 million; but regretted that the case was still hanging in the court till today.

“It was the same group from the State CID, Panti that came to Ajao Estate to make arrest. They said that they will deal with Dr. King ruthlessly. It was the same group that came to carry money that is working with Christian mafia because Dr. King did not want to join them in doing evil.”

He also argued that it was not possible that six people were bathed with fuel and only one of them caught fire.

“Some said the six were bathed with fuel in Rev King’s parlour. Other said that was at the garage, yet there was no evidence of burns in the places where the six were purportedly set ablaze,” he said.

He challenged the authorities to be courageous enough to tell Nigerians the truth about the whole episode.

“Pour 20 litres of fuel in the parlour and see if the house will not be consume. So let Nigerian government and their groups tell us the truth,” Ernest said.

http://www.nairapress.com/2016/03/06/the-world-will-rather-sink-than-for-rev-king-to-die-pastor/