Chelsea cruise past Shalke 04 as Torres shines

Fit-again Fernando Torres sparkled on his 100th start for Chelsea, scoring twice to help the 2012 winners outclass Schalke 04 3-0 to go top of Champions League Group E on Tuesday.
Torres produced a flying header at the far post after Branislav Ivanovic had flicked on a Frank Lampard corner in the fifth minute.

The Spain striker, back in the starting line-up following a knee injury, struck again in the 69th minute when he raced clear to beat keeper Timo Hildebrand after earlier rattling the bar with a powerful header.
Eden Hazard made it 3-0 after running half the length of the field as Chelsea, who last played on German soil when they beat Bayern Munich in the 2012 final, took their points tally to six, level with Schalke but with a much better goal difference.
Basle drew 1-1 with bottom club Steaua Bucharest and are in third place on four points.
"I feel we are improving as a team and the last few games I have felt very sharp," Torres told Sky Sports television.
"We were lucky to score the first goal early. In the second half our individual quality made the difference.
"To have got six points away from home is very important," added Torres, referring to Chelsea's previous victory in Bucharest.
It was also coach Jose Mourinho's first away win against a German team, having lost all previous six visits in his career.
The Portuguese opted to start Torres up front instead of Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o who was on target in the Premier League last Saturday.
"I put faith in Fernando and he answered well. It's a good feeling to score winning goals in the Champions League," said Mourinho.
"That was an important victory for us. I told my players after the Basle defeat that the performance was garbage and we had to clean it up and we have done that with two consecutive victories away.

"We were under pressure after the first game but now, after this result, we are in a good position," added Mourinho.
Schalke, who had won their first two games, had the lion's share of possession but, hampered by a string of injuries that kept several players out including forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, they lacked bite up front.
"It was very unfortunate to concede first from a set-piece," said coach Jens Keller. "We had chances and we should have taken one of them because you don't get many against a quality side like Chelsea."

Nigeria and Sweden play draw

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets came from behind twice on Tuesday to hold Sweden 3-3 at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain.
Eaglets hit the ground immediately knocking at the opponents door but at each occasion the Europeans backline held on.

The Swedes created their fair share of scary moments as Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu fumbled in most occasions.However, his inaccuracy at ball was lashed in on by forward, Valmir Berishe to put his side up in the 11th minute and was on song again in the 19th minute for the side second goal.
Isaac Success was to conjure a goal in the 22nd minute for his side after he squeezed himself free from two defenders to unleash a thunderous shot that beat the Mexican goalkeeper.
Both sides retired for the first term break with the Europeans firmly leading 2-1.

Eaglets resumed the second term more business like anxiously looking for the equaliser and it was Musa Yahaya whose shot was badly parried to slip into the net for Nigeria’s second goal.
Thereafter, it became a dingdong affair as both sides tried every trick in their book to undo each other but it was the Swedes who once again broke the ice as substitute, Halvadzic edged his side forward in the 65th minute.
Eaglets fought back strongly through substitute, Taiwo Awoniyi who drew level in the 81st minute to save his side from imminent defeat.
Efforts thereafter to grab the winner was rebuffed by the Mexicans as the Argentine referee, Juan Pablo Beletti sounded the whistle to end the thrilling encounter.
Both sides are level on four points but Nigeria lead the Group F log on superior goals.
Eaglets will head to Dubai to face the group weeping child, Iraq while Sweden will face resurgent title holders, Mexico on Friday.
Nigeria must avoid defeat against Iraq to be certain for passage to the knockout stage campaign at the ongoing Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Lewandowski's goal sinks Arsenal hopes

Robert Lewandowski's late volleyed winner earned Dortmund a 2-1 victory at a rain-soaked Emirates Stadium to throw Group F wide open just when Arsenal seemed capable of cruising through to the last 16 from a formidable section.

Without reproducing the scintillating form of recent weeks Arsenal were set for a point after Olivier Giroud cancelled out Henrikh Mkhitaryan's opener just before halftime but Lewandowski's composed 82nd minute strike condemned Arsenal to a third home defeat in a row against German opposition.
It ended a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions for the Londoners and left Wenger's side tied on six points with last year's European Cup runners-up Dortmund and Napoli and a daunting looking away game to come in Germany in two weeks.
"We were not as good as we can be offensively and some of the players tonight were not as fresh as recently," Wenger told reporters. "If you can't win games you mustn't lose them.
"In the second half we were on top but if you concede two goals you can only say we have to look at ourselves at not being mature enough in situations like that.

"It's tight now and difficult for us. But possible," added Wenger whose side will need points from their away games in Dortmund and Napoli to reach the knockout rounds.

Lionel Messi gives Barcelona top lead in group H champions league

Lionel Messi slipped past tight AC Milan marking to score in his first start since injury and give Barcelona a 1-1 draw on Tuesday that keeps them two points clear at the top of Champions League Group H.

The Argentine struck in the 23rd minute with a slick finish to a breakaway move to cancel out Robinho's stylish ninth minute opener, which came during a frantic opening period of pressure from the home side.
Barcelona moved up to seven points, with unbeaten Milan in second spot on five, two ahead of Celtic who beat Ajax 2-1 in Glasgow.
However, coach Gerardo Martino was less than happy with a point from a match he felt Barca should have won.
"I think with the way the match went we dropped two points tonight. A point isn't any good for us and we deserved more. We created chances and deserved to win," Argentine Martino told Sky Sport Italia.
"It didn't work for the first ten minutes of the match, we gave Milan the initiative. We didn't play like we did for the remaining 80 minutes and we paid for it."

Milan, who were missing three of their usual attackers from their starting line-up, including Mario Balotelli, came racing out of the blocks, putting pressure on Barca's backline and a defensive error led to Robinho's goal.
The Brazilian beat the away side's dithering defenders to a high bouncing ball, and after exchanging passes with revitalised-looking countryman Kaka, slid a simple finish past Victor Valdes.
"Kaka played extraordinarily well. He had to play almost as a full back in the second half," said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri.
"To be a champions you can't only do it with your feet, but also with your head. Kaka showed that tonight once again."

Ghana half way to brazil after their 6-1 thrashing of Egypt

The black stars of Ghana secured a comfortable 6-1 victory win against boastful Egypt in tonight world cup qualifier.
Asamoah Gyan scored the opener in the 5th minutes before Wael Gomaa went on to score an 'own goal' in the 22nd minutes giving the hosts two early goals. The pharoahs fought hard and got a penalty in which Mohammed Aboutriaka clearly slot in ball at the 41st minutes making the scoreline 2:1.
Before half time,at the 44th minutes, Abdul Waris of black stars made it 3:1, giving the hosts confidence to score more goals.Asamoah Gyan scored his second goal at the 54th minutes making it 4:1 and a brace for him.Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu scored at the 73rd and 88th minutes respectively to seal their victory.

International Friendly:Zambia beaten by brazil in China

Zambia were beaten 2-0 by Brazil in a friendly international match in Beijing, China on Tuesday.
Brazil, who will host next year's World Cup, scored through Oscar and Dede.

Zambia were without three regulars after a row with their club TP Mazembe in Democratic Republic of Congo.
TP Mazembe insisted Rainford Kalaba, Stoppila Sunzu and Nathan Sinkala were injured, leading to a dispute with the Zambian FA and the involvement of the Zambian government.
After examining the players in Lusaka, the Zambian FA said they should still travel to Beijing, but Mazembe requested their return.
That led to the intervention of the Zambian government who took away the players' passports so they could not go back to their club in Lubumbashi.

However, the players managed to cross the border between the countries and are believed to be back in DR Congo. Zambia has since issued warrants for the arrest of the players.
The Zambian FA has written to football's world governing body Fifa, complaining that Mazembe did not release their players as they are required to do for international dates.
Chipolopolo's match against Brazil was the first between the countries.

And the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions were playing their first game under 35-year-old interim coach Patrice Beaumelle, who took over eight days ago after Herve Renard left the job.
Zambia failed to qualify for next year's tournament having been eliminated from qualifying at the group stage.

International Friendly:Nigeria play Italy on November 18

The Italian Football Federation has confirmed the Azzurri will play the Super Eagles in London on November 18 as preparation for the 2014 World Cup.
The friendly is one of three for the Eagles who will host the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia on November 16 in Calabar in the second leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff.

The FGIC said on its website on Sunday that the Azzurri would also play Germany at San Siro in Milan three days before flying to London to play Nigeria.
The Nigeria Football Federation said besides Italy, Nigeria would also play Jordan on October 28.
The Jordan friendly, which will be played in the country's capital Amman, will feature players from the Nigeria Premier League as a build-up to the African Nations Championship in January in South Africa.

It will be the first time both countries are meeting in football in any category and it will serve as Jordan's preparation for their World Cup playoff match against Uruguay.
An NFF official told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday that the team list would be released this week ahead of a camping in Abuja before going to Amman.
"The outcome of Sunday's World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia will determine which team we'll settle for in the third friendly. For now, there are only Italy and Jordan on the card," the official, who said he was not authorised to give the details, said.

Nigeria are drawn against hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique in the first round of the CHAN

GLO picks Victor Moses As Ambassador.

Globacom has revealed the appointment of Nigerian and Liverpool Winger Victor Moses as its newest brand ambassador.

During yesterday's press conference at Mike Adenuga Towers, Victoria Island Lagos, GLO revealed the Super Eagle player.
Speaking at the occasion, the Group Chief Operating Officer of Globacom Mohammed Jameel stated that t he 22- year-old footballer had within his short playing career distinguished himself at both club and national team levels.

He added that the highly talented winger has also been a good inspiration not only to up and coming footballers and the younger generation of Nigerians.
Jameel said that one of the ways in which the company has been promoting indigenous sports as well as arts and culture was through the appointment of enterprising Nigerians in various sectors as brand ambassadors.
According to him, "This is not only meant to promote the growth of the various industries but also to encourage our teeming youth population to aspire to realise their dreams by looking up to these crops of ambassadors as mentors."
"It is in line with our commitment to delivering value and rewarding excellence that we have signed up one of our own, a Nigerian International, a dynamic winger and outstanding member of our victorious National Team, the Super Eagles, Mr. Victor Moses to project the Globacom brand across the continent," Jameel stated further.
He described the unveiling ceremony of the footballer as a further demonstration of Globacom's commitment to the development of Nigerian Football in Nigeria. Responding, Moses thanked Globacom for considering him worthy of being the company's ambassador, promising to make Globacom a bigger brand and "score more goals for the company".

Moses stated that the Globacom ambassadorship is his first endorsement contract in Africa, adding that he will make everybody proud by working very hard to ensure that the Super Eagles qualifies for the next World Cup.
He also advised young footballers to work extra hard on their talent to become outstanding.

Enugu sacks 138 School Principals Over Age Falsification.

One hundred and thirty-eight Chief Supervising Principals, CSPs, recently appointed by Enugu State Government for various schools in the 17 local government areas of the state have been compulsorily retired for allegedly falsifying their ages.
The list of those retired was released yesterday and pasted on the notice board of state Post Primary School Management Board, PPSMB.
Some of them were said to have spent between five years and above after attaining their official retirement age due to falsification of records.
Vanguard gathered that most of those elevated to chief supervising principals by the PPSMB on the directive of the state Ministry of Education, were so reluctant accepting their new positions and postings because of the huge income they expected to rake in from new students’ admission this term.
But the PPSMB insisted that they must comply with the directive and compelled them to update their records but in doing so, the affected persons falsified their ages in order to spend more years in service even when they were due to retire soon.
Some of the appointed Principals had alleged that they parted with huge sums of money to influence their appointments and having allegedly greased the palms of the officials in-charge went ahead to falsify their documents to enable them remain in service fraudulently.
But following discreet investigations into their claims particularly as it affects their date of birth and years spent in service, it was discovered that the affected persons falsified their ages.
Sources said that more of the identified culprits would be sent packing as the 138 CSPs published are in the first batch.

We Fast & Pray For A Month Before Releasing Any Album — P Square.

The Psqaure brothers disclosed this recently when asked to share their "success tips" during an interview with Mannie of Cool FM.

The "Alingo" crooners said "It iss all about prayers and hardwork before ever we release any album to the market, we must fast and pray for one month, this is what keeps us successful in the industry..

NLC Petitions IG Over Alleged Brutalisation Of Teachers In Rivers

In the petition by Acting General Secretary, Chris Uyot, NLC argued that in view of the alleged unwarranted and unlawful attack on law-abiding citizens, it was demanding “an apology from the Nigeria Police; a firm assurance from the Police to conduct itself in the future in line with civilized norms and rules of engagement; an investigation of this despicable and ignominious conduct; the evacuation of the police from Obio/Akpor Local Government Secretariat for workers to resume work, and the posting of Mr. Joseph Mbu out of Rivers State for free and unfettered investigation but especially for his excesses, and his inability to inspire confidence in the contending parties in the state.”

The petition reads in part, “The conduct of the police was unnecessary, shameful, ill-advised, contemptuous, illegal and a throw-back to the dark ages. The right to freely and peacefully associate is guaranteed by our constitution and does not reside with any individual, no matter how-highly placed. Even in untowardly circumstances, there are rules of engagement, let alone in a situation where teachers had no motive other than to collect their letters of posting.

We are inclined to believe Mr. Joseph Mbu, the State Commissioner of Police who directed this heinous attack was not acting at your behest because we recall you came into office with a new code of conduct which Nigerians applauded. Need we remind overzealous, blood-thirsty and sycophantic officers like Mbu that we are old enough as a nation and sufficiently experienced as citizens of this country to know that it does little good when an officer of his rank compromises his institution or code of conduct in order to appease insular and selfish motives.”
“We also had cause earlier to draw your attention to the deliberate closure of Obio/Akpor Local Government Secretariat at the behest of the State Commissioner of Police.”

ASUU STRIKE:VC's to meet in Akure on monday

Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities will meet in Akure, Ondo State, on Monday to deliberate on the strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

       This came as students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to implement immediately the various agreements it reached with labour unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

Also, OAU lecturers have insisted that the ongoing nationwide strike is not politically motivated.

Lecturers in the public universities embarked on strike last July to protest against the non-implementation of the agreement they reached with the FG in 2009.

Other associations like the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics and the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union have also threatened to embark on industrial action to protest the non-implementation of agreements they reached with the FG.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adedayo Fasakin, while addressing journalists in Akure on Wednesday, said the vice-chancellors would also discuss other problems facing the nation’s universities.

CBN Bans Importation Of Foreign Currency

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned the importation of all foreign currencies except with approval.This was contained in a statement signed by CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Mr Ugo Okoroafor, on Tuesday in Abuja. It said that the move was sequel to the Bank's withdrawal of the operating licence of 20 Bureaux de Change (BDCs). The CBN alleged that the BDCs purchased and sold huge sums of U.S. dollars with no documentation to show details of the transactions. The statement quoted the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr Sarah Alade, as saying that the CBN frowned at the existence of strong foreign exchange demand pressure from domestic sources.She said that the CBN had observed a surge in dollar cash importation by banks and the huge cash sales of the dollars to BDCs by the banks. She disclosed that the purchase and sale of the cash were not adequately documented by the BDCs. Alade said that if the trend was not contained, it could pose grave threats to the value of the naira as well as the Nigerian economy which had gradually become dollarised.She said the CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, and his team decided to take immediate action to safeguard the naira and ensure its stability in the face of the aforementioned challenges. Meanwhile, the CBN has also announced that the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) would take effect from Oct. 2. This followed the suspension of the Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) at the official foreign exchange market. It said that the RDAS would allow only customers of deposit money banks to buy foreign exchange at the CBN through their banks. This is against the WDAS where the deposit money banks bought foreign exchange at the CBN on their own accounts and in turn sold to their customers. "The re-introduction of the RDAS is expected to prevent round tripping of foreign exchange purchased at the CBN official window to unauthorised channels. "Also, a circular has been issued mandating all deposit money banks to redeem all inward money transfers in naira to the recipients at the prevailing inter-bank foreign exchange rate. "This is in line with best practice,'' it said. The statement said that apex bank would continue to support the operations of BDCs in line with existing guidelines, adding that BDCs were still relevant in the foreign exchange market. "To guard against stifling the activities of the BDCs, the CBN has authorised all deposit money banks to deal at the official foreign exchange market rate. "It also warned that banks can only sell foreign exchange cash to BDCs subject to a maximum of 250,000 dollars per week per BDC. "The CBN also advised all BDCs to continue to comply with the conditions of their operating licences, including the proper rendition of returns with respect to the purchases and sales of foreign exchange.'' The statement said that the apex bank had assured members of the public of its commitment to maintaining price stability and the preservation of the value of the naira in accordance with its mandate

7 signs that show that she doesnt love you anymore

The signs below could mean she is losing connection with you (in which case you should try to reestablish intimacy immediately), or it could also mean she is completely over it and fallen out of love. Whatever the case, it pays to be prepared. Here are 7 signs your woman is losing interest. 1).Dialing Out:She has not picked up your phone call in a few days, when you normally used to talk two to three times a day. She keeps coming up with different excuses as to why she is ignoring you, but her stories are not satisfactory. 2).She gets secretive: Women are known for wanting to share their stories and experiences with loved ones, especially the man in their life. Have you noticed she has not told you anything personal lately? This could be a sign that she no longer relies or connects with you. 3).Suspicious activities:When she picks up calls from other men while with you, or flirt with others without giving any consideration for how you feel, this could mean she does not respect you or your feelings, and that usually happen when she no longer had feelings for you. 4).Lack Of Physical Contact:She avoids physical contact with you. You cannot even hold her hand without her cringing in disgust. This is a definite sign that something is wrong. 5). No more fighting:This is perhaps the most subtle and the most overlooked. If your relationship had been rocky for some time now (you guys were having lots of fights) and lately she just suddenly stops arguing with you or has nothing to say when a fight comes up, don't make the mistake of taking this to mean all your problems are solved. Often, women express their feelings with words, so when she stops talking, you should start worrying. 6). She avoids family/friends gatherings:Often times, women feel guilty when they are about to end a relationship and hanging out with your buddies when she knows she is about to break up with you soon will only make her feel guiltier. So she will more likely avoid a situation where she will have to be around your loved ones (friends or family). It is also the same if she tries to prevent you from hanging out with her own friends/family. 7). She does not invite you to share:Just like she would not want to talk to you about her problems/experience, she will also not ask you to talk about yours. She no longer cares if you had a bad day, and when you do talk to her, she probably just give you non-committal responses like nodding and mumbling. She also does not contribute to such conversations anymore

PHCN workers begin strike on 2nd October,2013

The already deplorable power situation in the country may worsen as employees of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have threatened to stop the supply of electricity across the country by October 2 if the federal government goes ahead to handover the assets of the company to private investors today without the conclusion of payment of workers entitlements. The industrial action follows the expiration of the ultimatum issued by the workers to government to resolve all labour issues ahead of the privatisation of PHCN. In preparation for the industrial action, the workers will today hold a nationwide protest to alert Nigerians of impending shutdown of the power sector on Wednesday.Speaking under the umbrella of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the union directed its members to withdraw their services from all PHCN installations immediately after the celebration of the nation’s 53 Independence anniversary.The union, in a statement issued by its secretary, Joe Ajaero, said the industrial action became necessary in view of government refusal to resolve the outstanding labour issues with the workers. The union said it was particularly disturbed by the statement credited to the Chairman of National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Vice-President Namadi Sambo that government had settled all the labour issues which had impeded the smooth take off of the privatisation programme and the handover to private investors.The union insisted that the vice-president was either being misled or deliberately keen on emasculating the PHCN workers with a view to further impoverishing them. It challenged the Office of the Vice-President “to mention any person from his constituency - Kaduna State where he served as governor, who has been paid his entitlement, pension and gratuity.” The union further alleged governments deployment of military personnel to all PHCN facilities stating that the aim was to ostensibly to allow a forceful takeover of the installations without conclusively settling the labour issues.It noted that the policy of deploying soldiers to PHCN installations to intimidate workers was “definitely misguided and misdirected as they are directed to creating more tension to already tensed polity.” The statement read: “For clarity, please note that these issues are outstanding: payments of terminal benefits: payment of the terminal benefits is yet to rise up to 50 per cent for the eligible workers. Non-payment of retirement savings fund to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs): Up till this moment no efforts has been made to commence payment. The PFAs can attest to this fact. Non-remittance of 2 per cent of the union deductions as agreed: No word has been heard from the BPE/government on remittance of this two person neither has the deductions already made from the paid workers remitted to the unions.” “Non-payment of retirees who disengaged since 2011: It is absurd and sordid for government not to think of settling these people who laboured over the years in service of this country and get retired meritoriously, while the privatisation exercise was on. Non-regularisation of some of the casuals already identified: With the biometrics done and concluded, it becomes worrisome on the continued delay in regularising the casuals who had been identified based on agreements already entered into. 10 per cent equity shareholding by the workers: In line with the relevant laws, the workers are entitled to 10 per cent Equity Share of the total sale of PHCN. But it appears the government is bent on short changing the workers.” “The shortfall of terminal benefits from June 2012 till date has not been considered for payment. “These contending issues cannot be jettisoned by the workers to allow any force to takeover! It behooves us therefore to advise the vice-president and those misguiding him not to toy with the socio-economic lives of PHCN workers, their families and other Nigerians who depend on them for their livelihood. We are set to take our destiny in our hands. “Because of Independence Day ceremonies, we would be patient to allow for full celebrations. “However, we hereby urge Nigerians to bear with us if after October 2, the government goes ahead with her illicit handover to the investors and forceful takeover; the implication would be that the workers have technically been asked to withdraw their services and we may not be able to guarantee smooth operations. Consequently, if after October 2, the Office of the Vice-President fails to correct this misleading information, we shall not guarantee supply of electricity in the country. This is not a threat as our earlier ultimatum has expired.”

Happy 53rd Independence day Nigeria.

We want to use this medium to wish followers on this blog and Nigeria at large a happy and blissful independence day.Remember to pray for peace,progress and unity for her. Do enjoy yourself to the fullest. Thank you.