School Days: Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera answers our 'School Days' questions, revealing he still has close friends from that time and disclosing why he liked Geography but not History...
How was life at school for you – was it difficult to combine sport with your education?
No, I have the best memories from my time at school. I really loved the time I spent at school as I made all my friends there. I still have them now. So they were fantastic times. I used to always speak with my friends that we would like to go back one day again to revive the days there.
So you’re still close to those friends even now?
Yes, they are still my friends. I have the same friends as when as I was five years old so that is good.
Which was your favourite subject?
Of course, everyone who plays football will tell you Physical Education. We say that, I’m not sure what you call it in England, but something in relation to sport. After that, I used to like Geography a lot. I liked to know where the countries are and that kind of thing.
Has that proved useful now you get to travel the world with United?
I know. I’ve been so lucky that I’ve been able to go to a lot of places. Football allows me to do that so I think I am so lucky.
Which subject was your least favourite?
History. I like history but only when someone tells me about it. I don’t like to study it. I like the stories of history; I don’t know if that’s good English! I like it when someone talks to me about something that happened. I don’t like to read it in a book.
Everybody seems to say they had a favourite teacher. Did you?
I had a very good relationship with all my teachers. I have some favourites but I don’t think it’s fair to say just one.
Did you play any other sports?
Football. Always football. Football is my life and has been my life since I was very, very young.
Did you play for the school side?
Yeah, when I was six, seven and eight, I used to play for the school team.
Were you the best player?
I’m not the one who has to tell you that. You should ask my team-mates or the coach and not me. It’s not good for me to say that.
But were you the captain?
I used to be, yes.
Do you have any specific stand-out moments from playing for that team?
I have a lot of memories, around this time, as there are a lot of Christmas tournaments in Spain. So that’s one of my best memories, that Christmas tournament.
Did you find exams stressful?
No, to be honest, I was not a brilliant student but I was good enough to pass the exams and to keep passing to qualify for the next year. I was not brilliant, which is why my mum sometimes complained to me, but I was good enough to get to university, as I did.
You went to university?
Yes, I went to university but I didn’t go too much because of the football.
Do you have any advice for aspiring footballers who are at school at the moment?For me, they should realise that only a few get into professional football. They have to study and study a lot because life is long and they have to get prepared as well as possible. It is not so easy to be a professional footballer but, if you’re good, keep training and keep fighting. But, first, study because it is the most important thing.

Opinion: United's top five moments of 2016

With the New Year approaching, ManUtd.com’s Mark Froggatt has reviewed the past 12 months to list his favourite moments of 2016 as both a Manchester United fan and reporter…
5: NEW FACES, NEW UNITED
The first home match of the season is traditionally exciting, yet there was added electricity surrounding the Premier League outing against Southampton on 19 August. It was the first time we had laid eyes on Paul Pogba following his world-record transfer from Juventus, with the former Academy star starting alongside fellow new boys Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan later coming off the bench under the Friday-night floodlights. There was a buzz in the stands, with Jose Mourinho also making his competitive Old Trafford debut as United manager. It was the dawn of a brave new era.
4: WAYNE'S ANFIELD WINNER
Anyone who saw the 1-0 success at Liverpool on 16 January will tell you it wasn’t a classic. In fact, it was a timid affair in comparison to recent chapters in this thunderous rivalry's history. But that didn’t matter one bit when Wayne Rooney stole the win with his first Anfield goal since 2005, and the captain’s delight was clear to see in his ecstatic knee-slide toward the corner flag. It was a moment to savour for the 2,763 fans in the away end, particularly with this being the first match against United for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. The only problem for this writer was finding a way to maintain his composure in the otherwise professional atmosphere of the press box.
3: THE WYTHENSHAWE WONDER
Marcus Rashford first made the headlines by scoring twice as an unexpected starter against FC Midtjylland, but it was his follow-up brace versus old rivals Arsenal four days later that truly announced him to the world. The previously unknown 18-year-old from Wythenshawe had ripped it up on the biggest stage and performed like a playground hero. It was the stuff of dreams and while his subsequent rise has been unquestionably remarkable, that outing against the Gunners remains extra special. It was heart-warming and reassuring, a reminder of the United DNA and what makes us unique as a club.
2: AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION 
If you meet anybody who doesn’t understand football, or your emotional attachment to United, just show them Anthony Martial’s late winner in the FA Cup semi-final and, specifically, fast forward to the players celebrating joyously with the fans. Those scenes represented an emotional connection between the squad and supporters that is too rarely seen in the modern game. A first FA Cup final appearance since 2007 had been secured, plus an opportunity to end a 12-year wait for the trophy, so it meant an awful lot to everybody associated with the club, particularly in a season when the Premier League form was below par.
1: LIFTING THE FA CUP
Football is all about winning. The taking part is not what counts. Don’t let anybody tell you any differently. That’s why our FA Cup triumph must conclude this countdown of 2016, because it was an exceptional day and typical of United too. We fell behind, we made it hard for ourselves, we almost ruined it, but we fought back to find success. The fact that one of our own lads, Jesse Lingard, scored an extra-time winner was just the icing on the cake. I wouldn’t change anything about it... not even that dodgy dance from the Palace boss at the time, Alan Pardew! While this club will never settle for cup joy over league success, that day at Wembley was certainly one to enjoy, relish and relive. Bring on more of the same in 2017.

Mourinho values Reds' growing team spirit

 

Jose Mourinho feels Manchester United’s impressive recent form and results are evidence of a burgeoning camaraderie in the dressing room.
The Reds beat Sunderland 3-1 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day to make it five wins in a row and 11 games undefeated in all competitions, stretching back to early November.
Next up is a visit from Middlesbrough on Saturday as Mourinho’s men look to further improve the festive mood and close the gap on the Premier League’s top four.
Addressing fans in his column for United Review before the victory over the Black Cats, Mourinho wrote: "The players I have here are all great people who all want to do well for you and for the club, and also for each other.
"The team spirit I see is just fantastic, it is getting better every single day and I think that is showing in the way we are playing, because some of the football we have produced in recent weeks has been very good.
"We have been playing well for a long time but it was important that we started getting the points that our performances deserved. Now that we are, it is up to us to maintain that momentum with more good victories."
Mourinho also expressed his gratitude to the loyal supporters who have backed his side throughout his first six months in charge, referencing the scenes at the final whistle in United’s last away game, at West Bromwich Albion.
"The players are all so grateful for the support they receive everywhere they go, and there is a real bond that exists between the boys and the fans," the boss continued.
"Our supporters have been as fantastic as ever recently, providing such great backing up and down the country, and it was important for the players to recognise that by giving their shirts to the crowd at The Hawthorns. It was just a shame there wasn’t a shirt for every fan!"

Kit Talk: Chris Smalling

Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling discusses shirts, boots, shinpads and his personal matchday preferences in our 'Kit Talk' interview...
Why do you wear things a certain way, such as long sleeves?
I prefer to wear a long base-layer underneath my kit in pretty much all weathers. In pre-season, if it’s too hot, I probably won’t but, in general, I like to wear that. It’s just something that makes me feel comfortable. I prefer longer sleeves. I wouldn’t really tuck in my shirt, it would feel a bit restricted. I like to keep that loose. The layer underneath my kit makes me feel really comfortable, though.
Do you have any pre-match routines or superstitions?
I don't have many routines, although I always put my left sock and left shinpad on first - I put my shinpads on after my warm-up. In terms of superstitions, I’m not really a superstitious guy. Otherwise, you can drive yourself crazy if you have too many.
Have you ever done anything out of the ordinary and had a good result and thought ‘I might do that again’?
Not really, I don’t think so. I think a few other players have that but, as I say, it can drive you crazy if you’ve got to remember to do something every time. I’m not into that.
Do you ever change your shirt or other parts of your kit at half-time?Yes. I will take my base-layer off, as well as my top, and get new ones of those. I keep my shorts and socks on and redo my laces just so they’re extra tight for the second half.
Some players prefer to wear snug-fitting boots. Is that the case for you?
I do, I have them particularly tight. I had them personalised, actually. My brand of boots are generally quite a wide fit and I’ve got narrow feet so they brought them in for me a little bit. They are very tight but I don’t like my feet moving inside the boots so it's the tighter the better for me.
So did they send in someone to measure your feet specially?
Yes, they came to the training ground and took mould fittings of my feet. They saved those measurements and use them each time they bring out a new boot. It's nice and easy and we’re very lucky to have that service.
Do you have multiple pairs of boots or just the one pair?
I’ve got quite a few. I have a moulded pair that I tend to wear mostly in training if it’s not too wet. Then I half-moulded and half-studded for all weather really that I wear most of the time. I also have an all-studded version as well but, more often than not, especially in games, I tend to wear the mix of moulds and studs. They tend to tick all the boxes, no matter what the conditions.
Do you have a new kit for every game or do you wear the same shirt sometimes?I don’t think it’s a new one every time. Some players take their shirts after every game so I imagine someone like Daley [Blind], who takes his shirt home after every game, would get a new one each time. I only tend to take them home after a memorable moment – if I’ve scored or something has happened in the game, maybe a big result like a win against Liverpool or something. I take the shirt home then but, more often than not, I give it back. The laundry staff wash it and you wear it again.
Is there a rule about not swapping shirts with your opponents?
Not really, we’ve never been told you can’t swap your shirt at the end of the game. If I know someone on the other team, they might come up and ask me to swap. You can do it if you want.
Have you kept any special shirts over the years?
I’ve not got any framed yet but I’ve kept a few. Some from the derbies – my very first derby when Wazza scored that unbelievable goal. I kept that one and I’ve got my England debut. I’ve got a few other shirts myself. I’ve got Neymar’s at home after a friendly at Wembley. So I’ve got a few. One day, I’ll make a nice wall and frame them but I’m just collecting them on hangers in the wardrobe until I finish my career. Then I’ll look at it that way and it’ll be nice to get a little collection of shirts.

Do any of the players have personalised shinpads? I think our former players Wes Brown and John O'Shea had drawings from their children on theirs...Yes, some of the players here have personalised ones with their kids’ names or pictures of the family for example. It’s a nice touch and something I might look into because they look very nice. But at the moment, I’ve just got my standard shinpads that I’ve had for a while.

Which is your favourite United shirt from your time at the club?I think the white away one that we had last season. We wore it as an all-white kit [with white shorts and socks] sometimes and because I like white, I think it looked really smart.
Maybe it’s because you’ve also played for Fulham and England…
It's true - maybe that stuck with me! I really liked that white shirt from last season with its little red features. It’s one of my favourites and I’ve kept one of those shirts so I can remember it.

School Days: Luke Shaw

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw answers questions about his education in our 'School Days' interview...
What was your favourite subject and why?That’s an easy one – P.E. of course! It was something I loved doing and I was good at it! I also loved geography. I don’t know why but it was always a lesson I looked forward to.
Is there any one teacher you remember for good or bad reasons?There are so many teachers I can remember for both reasons! I can’t name one, but they know who they are, especially the good ones who were with me the whole way through secondary school and primary school too.
How was your school footballing career? I was always involved and I loved playing football for my school. It was really important for me. We had lots of good players and, although there aren’t any who play professionally now, a lot of them still play Sunday League and have good ability. I always loved representing my school – sometimes I’d pick up an injury for my club but if we had a game for school that week I’d still always try to play.
Did you take part in other sports?I played rugby and also cricket because all my close mates were in the cricket team so I joined in with them. It was a good laugh and I was surprisingly alright at it!
What advice would you give to anyone who is at currently at school and dreaming of becoming a professional footballer?For me, it was important to work hard and also do your school work well even if you have the ambition of becoming a footballer. You need to make sure you do your school work because you might not make it in football or you might pick up a bad injury one day and you need to be able to fall back on something else you’ve learned at school. You also need to listen to your coaches and most importantly of all, enjoy it.

United youngsters look towards 2017

A festive break in fixtures for Manchester United's Reserves and Academy squads gives us a natural opportunity to review the season so far - and a chance to predict which players are likely to have a big impact in the latter part of the campaign.
Doing the latter is always difficult, as individuals in younger age groups will mature at different rates and progress can sometimes seem startlingly quick when we only get to watch youngsters in matches every week or so and not in their day-to-day training sessions. But here's our guide to some of the names we could look out for as 2017 unfolds...
RESERVES
Like his predecessor Warren Joyce, interim coach Nicky Butt has had to work with a small squad lacking any real balance, with no genuine strikers in the pool, and life has consequently been difficult in Premier League 2, even if the team has grafted and become hard to beat. However, there has been some success in the Premier League International Cup with qualification for the next round safely secured in the last two games before Christmas - a victory over Sparta Prague (2-0) and a draw with Middlesbrough (2-2).
Axel Tuanzebe started the term in imperious form and, as captain, has remained a key figure at the back. The way he shackles and dispossesses opponents can look effortless at times and he has bags of potential. Joe Riley was making good progress as an attacking left-back until sustaining a hamstring injury, while Demi Mitchell is recapturing the sort of swagger that saw him excel for England Schoolboys in an unfamiliar role, filling in for Riley and scoring a beauty in the aforementioned game against Boro.
There must also be a mention for Josh Harrop, the leading scorer, who has had to handle much of the creative responsibility in the team and has done so with relish and perseverance, always bidding to stamp his influence on proceedings.
It is hoped some Under-18s can make the step up to the Reserves in 2017 to bolster the team and join Ro-Shaun Williams, who has been a regular despite being eligible for the youth team. Callum Gribbin has also shown signs he can adapt to life in the older age group. The midfielder clearly has quality and must strive to be firing on all cylinders in order to enjoy a big year, while Ethan Hamilton is another who has looked the part when elevated by Joyce earlier in the campaign.
UNDER-18S
Despite the disappointing exit to Southampton in the FA Youth Cup, there remains a real buzz around Kieran McKenna's Academy side. It would be easy to reel off a long list of the promising teenagers as so many have made impressive contributions to the cause but Angel Gomes remains the most exciting of prodigies and is a no.10 with huge ability on the ball.
Fans will be eager to see more of Tahith Chong after his stunning goalscoring cameo at Old Trafford against the Saints. A wiry winger with pace to burn and plenty of tricks in his locker, he is settling in nicely and always catches the eye. Like that pair, Irish defender Lee O'Connor is another first-year professional who should be a stalwart of the team that competes in the Youth Cup again 12 months from now. Hopes are high for the dedicated defender with versatility and a whole-hearted approach.
The Under-18s will hope to cement a top-four place in the Northern division to qualify for the leading group in the play-offs and, subsequently, challenge for the overall nationwide title. Manchester City, the only side above the young Reds in the table, may be favourites for that trophy but the absorbing 2-2 draw earlier this month proves McKenna's boys can at least match the unbeaten Blues.
With all to play for in the remaining months of the season, and an interesting wait to see what happens in terms of the second team's stewardship with Butt only currently in interim charge, the developments in the Academy and Reserves will be fascinating to follow on ManUtd.com and MUTV.

Malabu Oil Deal: UK Group Alleges $523m Went To Ex-President Fronts

A United Kingdom anti-corruption group, Global Witness, has alleged that about $523million of the $1.1billion paid by Shell and Eni for Malabu Oil Block (OPL 245) went to some fronts of a former President.

It said the deal deprived the country of a sum equivalent to 80% of its 2015 health budget in a country where more than 60% of the population live in poverty.

The group made the disclosures in a statement by its Director, Simon Taylor.

It also wrote a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to waiver in its determination to probe the sale of the oil block.

But Global Witness said prosecutors in the UK have alleged that about $523million out of $1.1billion was paid to the fronts of a former President.

The statement said: “We applaud the Nigerian authorities for fighting back against corruption without fear or favour, making sure there are real consequences for taking part in shady deals like with OPL 245.”

“The lucrative OPL 245 oil block was allocated in 1998 for $20m – a fraction of its value now – to Malabu Oil & Gas, a company secretly owned by the then oil Minister, Etete.

“The OPL 245 block, off the coast of Nigeria is owned 50-50 by Shell and Eni and contains probable reserves of 9.23 billion barrels of oil, representing potentially massive bookable reserves for the companies.

“Shell currently holds 11.75 billion barrels of proven oil equivalent reserves and Eni holds 6.89 billion barrels of proven oil equivalent reserves.

“The block was eventually passed on to Shell and Eni in 2011 in exchange for a payment of $1.1bn which flowed to Malabu rather than to the Nigerian state.

“The former Minister of Justice, Adoke by his own account acted as a broker in the deal. This deal deprived the country of a sum equivalent to 80 per cent of its 2015 health budget in a country where more than 60 per cent of the population live in poverty.

”Shell and Eni have always denied that they knew the money they paid would go to Malabu, but documents seen by Global Witness show that the companies in fact constructed the deal knowing that the money would flow ultimately to Malabu.

“Prosecutors in the UK have previously alleged that $523m of Shell and Eni’s payment went to alleged “fronts for former President of Nigeria (names withheld) as part of a deal that was effectively a “smash and grab” on Nigeria.

In a separate letter, the group praised the Acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, for the “sterling investigatory work” by the commission on the Malabu oil deal.

The letter said Global witness was “ delighted to read press reports that Adoke, Etete and others have been implicated  by the EFCC for fraud and money laundering in respect of the OPL 245 oil deal.

The letter added: “We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our admiration for the sterling investigatory work by the EFCC, under your leadership, that has brought this case to court.

“We believe that the case will send a powerful message to the world that Nigeria is intent on prosecuting corruption without fear or favour.”

The anti-corruption group however noted the reactions of some key actors in the Settlement Agreement on the oil block.

It added: “In a statement, Mohammed Adoke said: “I hope to at the appropriate time make myself available to defend the charge for what whatever its worth,” he also emphasized that he did not benefit from the deal, which he said saved the government from a breach of contract suit in which Shell was claiming $2 billion.

“He called the charges “orchestrated plans to bring me to public disrepute in order to satisfy the whims and caprices of some powerful interests on revenge mission.”

“Shell has insisted that they did not pay Malabu directly and that all payments went to an escrow account held by the Government of Nigeria.

“In a response to a request for comment from Global Witness in April 2015, Shell said: ‘We do not agree with the premise behind various public statements made by Global Witness about Shell companies in relation to OPL 245.’ It has not responded to more recent requests to comment.

Eni responded to questions on the deal in May 2016 saying: “Independent enquiries and the investigations commissioned by Eni’s Watch Structure and Board of Statutory Auditors from specialized American law firms have found no evidence of illegal conduct on the part of the Company.”

Antonio Tricarico said: “The Italian Government must ask serious questions of the involvement of Senior Eni executives in a deal that has now lead to senior Nigerian officials being charged with criminal offences.”  (The Nation)

2017: No Going Back On Biafra, Says BIM

THE Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), one of the frontline groups affiliated to the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), yesterday reiterated its readiness to continue their agitation until Biafra is achieved.

Leader of MASSOB-BIM, Ebonyi South zone, Mr. Sunday Ezaka disclosed that the only way to lasting peace and political stability of the nation was for the Federal Government to allow the sovereignty of Biafra nation to come into full existence.

“Members of MASSOB-BIM in Ebonyi South zone, Ebonyi State support Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of MASSOB-BIM and Chief S.O Chukwu for their vision for the Igbo and Biafra nation.

“Today, Biafra has come to be a reality and very soon it will be open and clear to everybody. The only thing that will bring peace to Nigeria and Biafra is for the Federal Government to stop opposing the full existence of Biafra.”

Also,  the group called on elder statesmen, senior citizens and Army chiefs in various parts of the country to galvanise forces this Christmas season to achieve their independence from Nigeria.

MASSOB-BIM leader for Anambra North, Chief Emmanuel Omenka who made the call in Onitsha yesterday through the zonal Director of Information, Charles Igbokwe, said this period of mass return presents a golden opportunity for stakeholders in various regions of the country to come together and press home their demand for an independent nation.

Omenka said if those who are supposed to take action decide to remain docile, the implication is that the people would continue to suffer for decades.

He said it was their time to save their people from bondage by doing the needful so that their people could be liberated from bondage and political servitude.

Omenka also urged all Igbo citizens within and those living outside the zone to feel at home this Christmas and beyond because of the tight security provided by MASSOB-BIM security arm.

He chided the police, the government  and other security agencies thumping their chest for providing security and boasted that if not for their (MASSOB-BIM) internal secret security arrangement put in place, nobody would have ventured to move around in the South East within this Yuletide owing to  security challenges.

“If Biafra stays on its own, it will help a lot. We have all the

minerals resources and endowment that will help us develop and be

independent for life. It will bring peace as Biafran will develop

without bounds. The Federal Government is not helping matters and we

blame them for all the deaths of our members since the agitation began

in the country.”

2017/sd2017: No going back on Biafra agitation- BIM From Emmanuel Uzor, Abakaliki and Aloysius Attah, Onitsha THE Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), one of the frontline groups affiliated to the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), yesterday reiterated its readiness to continue their agitation until Biafra is achieved. Leader of MASSOB-BIM, Ebonyi South zone, Mr. Sunday Ezaka disclosed that the only way to lasting peace and political stability of the nation was for the Federal Government to allow the sovereignty of Biafra nation to come into full existence. “The entire members of MASSOB-BIM in Ebonyi South zone, Ebonyi State support Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the leader of MASSOB-BIM and Chief S.O Chukwu for their vision for the Igbo and Biafra nation. They have done marvellously well more than any other group in the country. “Today, Biafra has come to be a reality and very soon it will be open and clear to everybody. The only thing that will bring peace to Nigerian and Biafra is for the Federal Government to stop opposing the full existence of the Biafra. Also,  the group, yesterday called on elder statesmen, senior citizens and Army chiefs in various parts of the country to galvanise forces this Christmas season to achieve their independence from the Nigerian state. MASSOB –BIM leader for Anambra North, Chief Emmanuel Omenka who made the call in Onitsha yesterday through the zonal Director of Information, Charles Igbokwe said this period of mass return presents a golden opportunity for stakeholders in various regions of the country to come together and press home their demand for an independent region away from Nigeria Omenka said if those who are supposed to take action decide to remain docile refusing to act, the implication is that the people would continue to suffer for the next 100 years. He said it was their time to save their people from bondage by doing the needful so that their people could be liberated from bondage and political servitude. Omenka also urged all Igbo citizens resident and those living outside the zone to feel at home this Christmas and beyond because of the tight security provided by MASSOB-BIM security arm. He chided the police, the government  and other security agencies thumping their chest for providing security and boasted that if not for their own internal secret security arrangement put in place, nobody would have ventured to move around in the South East within this Yuletide owing to  security challenges. “If Biafra stays on its own, it will help a lot. We have all the minerals resources and endowment that will help us develop and be independent for life. It will bring peace as Biafran will develop without bounds. The Federal Government is not helping matters and we blame them for all the deaths of our members since the agitation began

2017 Budget: Buhari To Spend N100m On Kitchen Utensils For Aso Rock

The 2017 budget, christened budget of growth and recovery, presented to the National Assembly by President Buhari on December 14, shows that the State House budget for the fiscal year would be N42 billion, with expenditure on food, cooking gas and kitchen utensils expected to gulp well over N850 million.

Specifically, N100, 820,300 would be spent for the purchase of kitchen utensils such as forks and knives for use in Aso Rock.

The budget document indicated three expenditure items that relate to food and feeding, namely, food stuff and catering materials, purchase of canteen and kitchen equipment and cooking gas.

The breakdown of the budget for Aso Rock come 2017 shows that expenditure on kitchen utensils will be N431 million, food stuff and catering materials will swallow N360 million while cooking gas is expected to take N63 million; making a total of N850 million.

For president’s office, N114,967,140.00 has been voted for food stuff, kitchen utensils or equipment to take N100,820,300 while cooking gas will consume N21,600,000 million.

The budget breakdown further shows that the Office of the Vice President will spend N53, 494,992 million on food stuff, N12,470,000 on kitchen utensils while N246,000 million would be spent on cooking gas.

The expected food related expenditure for office of the Chief of Staff is N16,282,000 while Lagos Liaison Office of the Presidency will devote N140,418,300 on food and food related items in the 2017 fiscal year.

The maintenance of infrastructure and technical facilities in the Defence House and other Safe Houses would gulp N367.980 million, while the rehabilitation and infrastructure of security quarters in the Villa would take N284.587 million.

Perhaps, in line with the determination of President Muhammadu to root out corruption in the country, N17.202 billion is allocated to the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), making it the largest single allocation among the agencies under the Presidency. (The Sun)

Arrested Boko Haram Fighter Warns Of Attacks On FCT

                                      Inspector-General of Police , Ibrahim Idris

A middle-aged man suspected to be one of the fleeing fighters of the Boko Haram sect has been arrested by officials of a security agency recently established by the Abuja Municipal Area Council popularly known as AMAC Marshal in the Federal Capital Territory.

A statement issued on Tuesday night by the spokesman for the AMAC Marshal, Kingsley Madaki, said the suspect who gave his name as Usman, was nabbed at 4.30pm at Utako Market.

According to him, the suspect was apprehended “with a Qur’an and a chaplet on his neck while trying to lobby people in the market.”

The statement said the suspected Boko Haram fighter had, however, “confessed that there are so many of his colleagues out there in the city who are out to unleash mayhem on innocent residents.”

While calling on the residents of the FCT to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to AMAC Marshal personnel, Madaki said the organisation was out to ensure the safety of properties and lives of the residents.

While handing over the suspect to the Nigerian Army at the Mabila Barracks, the Marshal-General of AMAC Marshal, Kasim Chicha, said the organisation was out to assist the conventional security agencies in the council.

He, therefore, called on the residents to be careful and be alert at every point in time, adding that AMAC would always do everything to protect residents.

Chicha commended the effort of the council Chairman,  Abdullahi Candido, for creating the security outfit for the security of the council.

The PUNCH reported that the Nigerian Army had invaded Camp Zero, the last Boko Haram’s stronghold in Sambisa Forest to flush out the insurgents.

This led the terrorists to flee the area and one of the suspected member of the sect was arrested in Lagos last Thursday. (Punchng.com)

South Africa: Blacks Attacks On Whites Have Escalated In The Recent Times

There have been serious attacks by South African Blacks on Whites on several occasions in different provinces or regions across the country.

According to some few South African Whites communities, the attacks are orchestrated by  the fiery party leader of EFF, Mr Julius Malema speeches.

Malema is a known strong  freedom fighter in South African. He was the former youth wing leader of ANC until he fell out with President Jacob Zuma and was expelled from the party and was charged to court.

Julius Malema then formed a new political party named Economic Freedom Front, EFF, a party which has gone since its formation to become the third biggest and strong opposition party in South African politics.

This very attack on these farmers, a man and his wife, took place on the Christmas day. Mr Dawie Kayser Bossof  and his wife were kidnapped and badly beaten and found in a very bloody state in the hospital.

The attack was described as absolutely barbaric by the white folks who were interviewed by The Republican News reporter and online interviews by the editor.

The whites who were interviewed were very worried that their calls and cry is not getting out there and the needed help is not coming to them. Some of them sounded very scared , angry and desperate about these attacks and for their lives.

Of  course, anyone who knows the history of apartheid in South Africa and how the black people suffered during those era of discriminations would see these attacks differently.  But as many condemned it then, many should join hands to condemn it now. Secondly, apartheid ended 22 years ago, some of the Whites cried out.

The question is, what is the government of President Jacob Zuma, the state prosecutor doing about the attackers and the crimes they are committing?

These attacks are incredibly serious and something must be done before things get out of hand in the country. And it must be done very fast.

Human Rights Group Attacks Obaseki Over Execution Of Prisoners

                                                                           Godwin Obaseki

A human rights organisation, Legal Defence and Assistance Project, has described as unlawful the killing of three death row inmates in an Edo State prison on December 23, 2016.

The organisation identified the prisoners executed on the order of Governor Godwin Obaseki as Ogbomoro Omoregie, Apostle Igene and Mark Omosowhota.

LEDAP said in a statement on Wednesday by its National Coordinator, Mr. Chino Obiagwu, that the executed prisoners were sentenced to death about 20 years ago by military tribunals under the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Decree as amended.

It, however, said they had challenged their conviction and sentence at the court of appeal.

LEDAP accused the Edo State Government of violating the rights of the executed prisoners by killing them at a time when their appeals were pending at the Court of Appeal.

LEDAP alleged that Obaseki signed the death warrants and caused the prisoners to be killed despite the appeal to him in a December 21, 2016 letter to suspend the execution pending the outcome of the appeal.

It said the execution of the three condemned prisoners and four others whose death warrants were signed by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State in 2013 were a breach of the declaration by the Federal Government in the 2009 and 2014 Universal Periodic Reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council that the country had put in place a moratorium on death penalty.

The statement read in part, “LEDAP is appalled that the earliest social duty of Governor Obaseki upon assumption of office was the execution of his citizens on death row. We reiterate that all prisoners, including those sentenced to death, retain all the fundamental rights endowed on all citizens by the 1999 Constitution. This was re-emphasised by the Court of Appeal in the case of Peter Nemi v Attorney General of Lagos State in 1994. The Supreme Court of Nigeria also held in Nasir Bello v Attorney General of Oyo State that a prisoner could not be legally executed while his case was pending in court.

“Insofar as an appeal against the sentences of the death row prisoners in Nigeria are pending in court, to the knowledge of the prison authorities and the government who participated in the high court proceedings before the appeal, there is no legal justification for the Edo executions, more so when it was carried out cruelly on a day to the eve of Christmas.

“It is also appalling that the Edo State Government carried out the execution despite the declaration by Nigerian government at its 2009 and 2014 Universal Periodic Reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council that Nigeria has put in place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.”  (Punchng.com)

School Days: Bastian Schweinsteiger

Our 'School Days' feature delves into the formative years of Manchester United's stars. Here, Bastian Schweinsteiger discusses his option of becoming a professional skiier and why he loved scoring goals as a striker...
How was school life for you?
I remember that school was always, more or less, from 8 o'clock in Germany – you had to start at eight. Afterwards, I went straight to playing football, to Munich, or went to skiing actually. So I was always leaving home and having to go to school to also be allowed to go to the mountains for skiing or off to play football.
Was it difficult juggling your sports interests with your education?
Let’s say it was not easy sometimes but, at the end, I could manage it. I was very happy when I had the right marks in school because my parents were satisfied with me.
Is it right that you could have been a professional skiier?Yes, where I grew up was close to Austria as well, with big mountains, and my father also actually won ski races. I was two-and-a-half the first time I went on the mountains skiing. I grew up, more or less, with that. When I was 14 years old, I had to decide whether to continue as a ski racer or be a football player 100 per cent. So I decided, let’s say, to go for the warm weather!
Was it dangerous to be skiing while also playing football?
No, at that time, I was not thinking if it was dangerous or not. It was very cold – minus 20 degrees sometimes in the morning and there was heavy stuff as you have to carry all your outfit and equipment with you. You have to wake up very early, so that was a little bit the point where I said ‘Okay, with football, it’s more you’ so I decided on only playing football.
Did you play any other sports at school?
At that time, I played a little bit of basketball and tennis but, actually, ice-hockey was something that we played a lot of times.
Which subject was your favourite in the classroom?I liked music actually; I don’t know why but it was always one of the easiest lessons at school. Sport, of course, as well and Biology a little bit. They were my favourites.
Which subject was your least favourite?
Physics. It was horrible!
Everybody says they had a favourite teacher, did you?
Yes, I had a favourite teacher. She was my English teacher and a director of the school. She understood I had a lot of things going on around me and understood all that. She helped me a lot and she became, more or less, a friend.
Did you play for the school football team and were you captain?
No, I was never actually captain at the school. It was always someone else. I was just a player who scored a lot of goals and that was it.
So did you play as a striker in those days?Yes, I think it’s quite normal that you always start as a striker; when you become a professional, if you ask the players more than 90 per cent were starting as a striker at school. I was the same, the same happened to me. It was quite cool actually, to score a lot of goals, but now I’m in a different position.
Do you have any advice for youngsters at school hoping to become professional footballers?
To make their parents happy, I think they should have the right marks at school and should focus on that. You never know what will happen. I also had some team-mates when I was 16 and they were really, really good but started to get injuries and couldn’t continue as football players. So they had to focus on school and it’s good to have good marks and grades and finishing school. If you’re injured, you can’t play football and have to do something else.