Real and Athletico Madrid through to the Champions League final

It's going to be an all Spanish final for the UEFA Champions League this season after both Real Madrid and their La Liga rivals, Athletico humiliated their opponents in the second leg of the semi finals.

Real Madrid travelled to the Allianz Arena to humble the German Champions, Bayern Munich with four un-replied goals. Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo both got on the score sheet twice.

In the other second semi final game, it was Athletico who got the better of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Diego Simeone men came from behind to beat Jose Mourinho's Chelsea 3-1.

Both Spanish sides will be looking to tear themselves apart after securing a place in this year's final.

FG extends National Conference by six weeks

Mothers of abducted schoolgirls take protest to NASS

Chelsea upset Liverpool at Anfield, City defeat Palace

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea defeated league leaders Liverpool at Anfield today, ending the Merseyside club's run and denting their hopes winning their English Premier League.

The defeat has thrown the title race wide open with Chelsea now trailing Liverpool by just two points. Meanwhile, Manchester City responded by defeating Crystal Palace 2-0, thanks to goals from Eden Dzeko and Yaya Toure.

City could go top of the league on goal difference if they win their outstanding match away to Everton. With just two matches left, the title race has become even more exciting.

Popes John XXIII and John Paul II declared saints

Pope Francis today canonized two of his predecessors, John XXIII and John Paul II, in a colourful ceremony that attracted thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

The historic event - the first dual canonization of former popes - was attended by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who resigned last year citing health reasons.

The installation of both great men as saints was greeted with cheers by the huge crowds that gathered in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

Pope Francis described them as "men of courage" who bore witness to God's mercy.

"They were priests, bishops and popes of the 20th century," the Pontiff said. "They lived through the tragic events of that century, but they were not overwhelmed by them. For them, God was more powerful, faith was more powerful."

Vilanova passes on after battling with cancer

Former Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova, has passed on after a long battle with cancer. He had a tumour removed from his throat in 2011 and later suffered a relapse in December 2012. The 45-year old returned from a sabbatical leave to guide Barcelona to one of their best La Liga seasons during the 2012/13 campaign.

He resigned and made way for Gerard Martino after a second diagnosis revealed he still had problems with cancer. Vilanova was hospitalized and his health deteriorated seriously until he underwent an emergency surgery on Thursday. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Moyes has himself to balme for Man United sacking - Meulensteen

Former Manchester United coach, Rene Meulensteen has told SiriusXM FC that David Moyes was the cause of his own downfall at the club. According to Rene, the scot made a fundamental mistake by failing to realise that leaving Everton to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United was like "going from a yacht to a cruise liner".

He noted that Moyes ignored the advice of experienced staffs at the club and "under-estimated" the size of the job at Old Trafford.

Meulensteen who was "too crazy for words" decried the extremely poor performance this season and accused Moyes of trying to make too many changes too quickly. According to him,

"United were a very successful team, with many successful years behind them. The strategies in place worked. But David ignored the advice that was given to him by many of the staff in place at the time.

"He opted to put his own plans in place, which he was perfectly entitled to do, but I think it backfired on him. I always strongly believe the performances and the results are a reflection of what is actually happening behind the door and that wasn't good enough, as simple as that.

"Don't forget David was a respected manager in the Premier League who worked for 11 years at Everton in a very good way. But I did warn him: 'Do you realise, after everything at Everton, you're going from a yacht to a cruise liner? That's how big the difference will be.' It's not just necessarily the work on the pitch. It's everything that surrounds Manchester United, the players, the performances, the pressure, the style, the identity. And I think he underestimated that. It's always easy in hindsight but unfortunately it's cost him his position."

The Dutchman who was first team coach under Ferguson said Moyes made a big mistake by bringing o many Everton staff to his new club, a decision which influenced his departure from Old Trafford. "It became very evident to me after a few meetings with David Moyes that he wanted to bring in his own people and do it his own way."

"I felt very strongly that things would change dramatically for myself and the position I held so I didn't feel there was a good foundation to carry on, Rene added."

The ex-coach also backed the appointment of player-coach Ryan Giggs's as interim manager. He however noted that an extensive rebuilding process in the summer will be necessary in order to repair the damage that has already been done. "Five, six, seven players [have to be changed] and that's too much … that is the challenge the club are facing in the summer but I still think United have a fantastic squad and with the right additions can be a force very quickly."

Januzaj commits to Belgium

Manchester United wonderkid, Adnan Januzaj has revealed to Manutd.com that he has made himself available for international selection with Belgium.

Head Coach of the Belgian national team, Marc Wilmots, confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon, ending speculation on Januzaj's future. The player until now was eligible to play for up to five countries including England where he plays his club football.

The 19-year-old has been the subject of praise following his impressive display this season.

Moyes should have gotten more time - Wenger

Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has criticised the recent decision by Manchester United to dismiss David Moyes after only ten months in charge of the Red Devils. Wenger described Moyes as a top class coach and believed that the Old Trafford club should have given him more time before making that decision.

He frowned at the trend of sacking managers which has become a popular policy of many clubs noting that it is "a big threat for our game."

UN Security Council condemns violence in Syria and Mali

The Nigeria-led United Nations Security Council meeting has condemned the circle of violence in Syria and Mali. Prof. Joy Ugwu who recalled the resolution entered in 2013, asked "the Malian government and the signatory and adherent armed groups in the north of Mali that have cut off all ties with terrorist organisations and committed unconditionally to the agreement to urgently agree a road map for an inclusive and credible negotiation process open to all communities of the north of Mali."

World Enomic Summit: President Jonathan assures participants of safety in Nigeria

Ahead of the World Economic Forum scheduled to hold in Nigeria two weeksfrom now, President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the international community that the safety of all those who intend to participate in the forum is guaranteed. He noted that his administration his taking necessary measures to address the current security challenges "so that our economy can move forward faster."

President Jonathan made this known when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Manchester United sack David Moyes

English Champions, Manchester United have confirmed that club manager, David Moyes has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. The scot has been in charge for only 10 months which saw the Old Trafford club perform woefully.

United also stated that "the club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

22/04/2014

22/04/2014

Manchester United to fire David Moyes

Rumours all over the English media suggest that the Barclays Premier League Champions, Manchester United, are planning to relieve club Manager, David Moyes of his duties following a terrible debut season in charge. The scot was appointed last year to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

Meanwhile, there are also reports that Althletico Madrid Manager, Diego Simeone, and his Borussia Dortmund counterpart, Jurgen Klopp have been contacted as potential candidates to replace Moyes. The latter has however refused to comment on the speculation.

Details soon...

Kidnapped students regain freedom

Some of the female students who were abducted from their boarding school in Borno State have now regained their freedom. The search is still on for eight others.

Details later...

Court of Appeal President sworn in

The Chief Justice of Nigeria today swore in the Court of Appeal President

Details later...

Court of Appeal President sworn in

The Chief Justice of Nigeria today swore in the Court of Appeal President

Details later...

Court of Appeal President sworn in

The Chief Justice of Nigeria today swore in the Court of Appeal President

Details later...

Female students abducted in Borno

Over 100 final year female students have been abducted from a boarding school in Borno State, North Eastern Nigeria. The attack is believed to have been carried out by Boko Haram insurgents.

Details later...

Over 70 people die in Abuja bomb blast

More than 70 people have been reported dead and many others injured after a vehicle loaded with explosives exploded at a motor park in Nyanyan, the outskirts of Abuja on Monday morning.

Supreme Court strikes out VAT case

Nigeria's apex court has declined jurisdiction on a case brought before it by 35 state governments challenging the Federal Government's powers to collect Value Added Tax.

Other judges of the panel also described the decision to bring the case before the Supreme Court as an abuse of court process.

President Jonathan meets South East monarchs

President Goodluck Jonathan has paid a courtesy visit to traditional rulers in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. Speaking at the meeting which took place in Enugu, the President thanked the monarchs for their support and asked them to continue to provide quality leadership at the grass roots.

The traditional rulers also appreciated the President and presented him with a royal seat.

Visit to Jonathan earned me insults - Fani-Kayode

A former Minister for Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has revealed that his recent closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan earned in insults from many. The APC chieftain insisted that just like the opposition governors paid a visit to the president, he also has a right to do same.

Ebola virus: Nigeria on high alert

Senate approves 2014 budget

The Senate on Wednesday passed the 4.69 trillion naira 2014 budget into law. The final figures indicate an increase of N53billion of the N4,642,960,000,000.00 2014 budget estimates originally presented to the National Assembly by Presidency on December 19, 2013.

Search team optimistic of finding MH370 soon

As the search for the missing Malaysian plane continues, search teams say they are optimistic of finding the airline after detecting signals believed to be emitted by the black box.

Oscar Pictorious breaks down in court

Olympic medalist, Oscar Pictorious, broke down in court today after he was shown a graphic photo of his dead girl friend. The athlete faced tough questions as he was cross-examined for the first time during his murder trial.

JNI condemns massacre of innocent Muslims

The umbrella body of Islamic organisations in Northern Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, has condemned the unlawful killing of innocent Muslims under the guise of anti-terrorism. In a statement issued in Kaduna on Monday through it's Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, the religious body raised an alarm over the cases of massacre of Muslims by the military in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

Ekiti PDP leaders give Jonathan ultimatum to intervene in party crisis

Following the emergence of former Governor Ayo Fayose as the flag bearer of PDP in the forth-coming Ekiti gubernatorial election, aggrieved leaders of the party have given President Jonathan a five-day ultimatum to intervene in the crisis rocking the party. At a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the leaders called on President Jonathan to declare the March 22 primary election null and void, claiming that it was characterised by irregularities.

New GDP rating: No call for celebration –Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan in reaction to the rebased Gross Domestic Product which has seen Nigeria overtake South Africa as Africa’s biggest economy, has noted that he will not celebrate the remarkable achievement because a lot still needs to be down to address the abject poverty in the land.

Uduaghan orders clean up of Warri

The city of Warri in Delta State is undergoing a massive clean up after the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan issued a directive to some members of his cabinet to go round the city and ensure that places illegally used as refuse dumps are cleared. Addressing journalists in Warri, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, disclosed that they were ordered by the governor to supervise the thorough sanitization of Warri, Uvwie and Udu Council Areas within one week.

I don’t meddle in the affairs and selection process of PDP – Patience Jonathan

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has issued a statement through her media assistant, Ayo Adewuyi, stating that she does not meddle in the process of selecting candidates for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Mrs. Jonathan said this in reaction to a rumours that she was planning to install three governors in Bauchi, Bayelsa and Rivers States.

Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy – New GDP figures reveal

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Sunday declared a new Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figure of N80.3 trillion ($509.9b), making Nigeria the largest economy in Africa. Nigeria’s Statistician-General, Yemi Kale, disclosed that the recalculated figures makes Nigeria the 26th largest economy in the world and number one in Africa, overtaking South Africa. Calculated on a per capita basis, Nigeria occupies the 121st position in the world.

Rumour of Buhari/Tinubu ticket creates tension in APC

The Christian population of the opposition All Progressives Congress are reportedly angry over an “open secret” that the party is planning to produce a Muslim/Muslim ticket comprising a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and a former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; ahead of the 2015 presidential election. This rumour has resulted in many threatening to quit the party.

More governors to join APC soon – Wamakko

The governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamakko, has boasted that more governors are set to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) soon. He made this claim on Saturday in Wamakko after the conduct of ward congresses in Wamakko Local Government Area.

Queen Elizabeth visits Pope Francis at the Vatican

Pope Francis received Queen Elizabeth at the Vatican on Thursday last week when the latter along with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, stopped by after a visit to Italy.

The Pontiff gave Her Majesty a present (a precious stone globe with a cross on it) for her royal grandson, the future king, Prince George in a brief and informal 30-minute audience at the Holy See.

President Jonathan gives daughter out in marriage

President Goodluck Jonathan has given out his foster daughter, Miss Faith Elizabeth Sakwe, in a colourful ceremony yesterday that attracted high profile dignitaries from all walks of life to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.

Househelp docked for killing ex-Magistrate

A 21-year-old househelp, David Uche Ndah who killed his boss, a former Magistrate in Ogun State, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrate court on a one-count charge of murder.

Nasarawa Governor visits Keama LG, condemns attack

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has paid a visit to Keama Local Government in the state, where no fewer than 20 people were killed in an attack rumoured to have been carried out by the Nigerian Military. The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased and described the attack as misplacement of priorities.

Many politicians pretend to be religious – Falana

Human Rights activist and delegate at the on-going National Conference, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has accused political leaders in Nigeria of pretending to be religious just to satisfy their selfish ambitions. He said this when he spoke with a journalist for the African Independent Television (AIT) at the end of the conference deliberations today.

Reps move to amend WAEC law

The House of Representatives are in the process of amending the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Act of 2004 as a bill seeking to provide stiffer penalties for examination malpractice passed its second reading on Thursday.

Military launch assault on Fulani Herdsmen

The Nigerian military have killed no fewer than 20 fulani herdsmen in Keama Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The suspected Fulani cattle breeders were reportedly taken unawares as soldiers engaged them in a deadly gun duel.

Court asks FG to apologize to Sanusi

The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the seizure of the passport of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as illegal. Sanusi had approached the court on the 21st of February asking it to restrain the Federal Government, the State Security Service and the police from detaining or harassing him.

Nigeria needs to be restructured – Dokpesi

Media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi has challenged his co-delegates at the on-going National Conference to make meaningful contributions that will lead to a critical review and restructuring of Nigeria. Dokpesi said that Nigeria has performed poorly as a nation compared to other countries that previously depended us for growth and survival.

Delegates advocate better Nigeria, want report implemented

Continuing their discussion of the speech by President Jonathan at the inauguration of the National Conference, delegates today spoke extensively and suggested ways of resolving some of the problems bedeviling the nation. They commended the President for convening the conference and urged him to implement the report that will come at the end of their dialogue.

FG to release new GDP figures

15 years after the current Gross Domestic Product figure was released, the Federal Government has announced that it will on Sunday release the country’s new GDP figures.

Addressing State House correspondents on Wednesday at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed that the plan was a result of hard work. He noted that the initiative will assist the government in carrying out proper planning for development purposes.

No Ebola outbreak in Nigeria

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku confirmed to State House correspondents on Wednesday after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting that checks by the Ministry of Health showed that no case of Ebola fever had been reported in the country.

Reps divided over court decision on defecting lawmakers

The recent ruling by a Federal High Court asking 37 defecting lawmakers to vacate their seats has apparently received little attention from the House of Representatives. Although members of the ruling party welcome the judgment and want it implemented to the letter, their counterparts in the opposition consider the court decision as a breach of their rights.

Atiku asks delegates to tackle federal structure

Speaking at an event in Nasarawa State University, Keffi on Tuesday, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar challenged the delegates at the on-going National Conference to address the ills of the federal system currently practiced in the country. He noted that the federal structure concentrates too much power to the central government while neglecting development at the grass roots.

FG and SSS accuse Sanusi of financing terror

The Federal Government and the Department of State Security Service have disclosed that the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido is being investigated on suspicions of being a major financier of terrorism in the country.