9JA-CONCEPT BLOG

Romelu Lukaku scored twice for Everton in a 4-2 victory on Sunday as Craig Shakespeare suffered defeat for the first time since becoming Leicester City manager. Shakespeare had won all of his first six matches in charge, five of them in the Premier League, since replacing the sacked Claudio Ranieri in February. A much-changed Leicester side, without their regular full-backs or midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, and with Riyad Mahrez appearing only as a substitute, were unable to cope with the threat of Lukaku. The Premier League’s leading scorer took his goal tally in the competition to 23 for the season with a fine header and a clinical close-range finish. Shakespeare’s decision to make five changes suggested he had one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Atletico Madrid. Leicester were behind after just 31 seconds, yet were soon in front. Everton scored from their first attack as Kevin Mirallas raced through the centre and was pulled down by D...

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season to set Manchester United on course for a 3-0 victory over 10-man Sunderland which moves them up to fifth in the table. Ibrahimovic put United on their way with a first-half strike at the Stadium of Light before Sebastian Larsson was dismissed for the hosts, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan adding a second shortly after the break and Marcus Rashford scoring late on to leave Jose Mourinho’s men four points off the top four. United, who had made five changes to their side, started the game the brighter and created their first opportunity after just two minutes, with Jesse Lingard taking aim at goal from the edge of the box only for Jordan Pickford to comfortably make a save. After struggling initially, Sunderland began to get a foothold in the game around the 20-minute mark, with Bryan Oviedo sending a free kick straight at Sergio Romero, and Lee Cattermole doing the same with a hit from open play a few minutes ...

The contractor handling the Abuja Rail Mass Transit is expected to complete work on the project by October while the FCT Administration will commence the test run of the Rail Mass Transit by the middle of November 2017, an official has said. The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, made this disclosure while receiving a delegation of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, led by its President, Tomilola Akingbogun, that paid him a visit in his office at Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja. The minister disclosed that by December 2017, the FCT Administration intends to temporarily open the rail services for the Lots 1A and 3 to the general public for usage. According to him, the full operation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit would commence by the first quarter of 2018 as earlier announced. On the problem of multiple taxations in the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Bello reiterated that a committee is already working to address it. He said that the participation ...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has auctioned $418 million at a marginal rate of N310 to a dollar, to airlines, agriculture, petroleum and raw materials sub sectors. The CBN acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor said in Abuja that the $480m offered last week was in addition to the $350 million sold as wholesale auction for travel allowance and school fees at the same period. He said that in the weeks ahead, the CBN would further sustain its intervention through the sale of foreign exchange to all segments of the market, like the interbank and the Bureau de Change segment. “The Bank will sell short tenured forwards of 7 to 30-day maturity to meet demand of manufacturers and all other foreign exchange users. “These significant injections of foreign exchange into the market should reassure all foreign exchange users of our determination to continue to meet all legitimate forex demand in the market,” he said. Okorafor reiterated the bank’s commit...

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for bombing two Egyptian churches on Sunday in the deadliest attacks on the country’s Christian minority in recent memory. “Islamic State squads carried out the attacks on two churches in Tanta and Alexandria,” said the group’s self-styled Amaq news agency in a statement published on social media accounts. The first bombing struck a church in the city of Tanta north of Cairo, killing 25 worshippers. The other attack, which the interior ministry said was caused by a suicide bomber, killed 11 people at a church in Alexandria. The ministry said Coptic Pope Tawadros II was inside the church leading a Palm Sunday service when the suicide bomber was stopped by police outside and blew himself up. A church official said Tawadros had already left the church when the bombing took place. IS had claimed last December’s bombing of a Cairo church that killed 29 people, and threatened further attacks on Egyptian Christians.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for bombing two Egyptian churches as worshippers gathered to mark Palm Sunday, killing at least 38 people in the deadliest attacks on the Coptic Christian minority in recent memory. The attacks followed a Cairo church bombing in December and came weeks ahead of a planned visit by Catholic Pope Francis intended to show support for the country’s Christian minority. The first bombing struck the Mar Girgis church in the city of Tanta north of Cairo, killing 27 people, the health ministry said. Emergency services had scrambled to the scene when another bombing rocked the Saint Mark’s church in Alexandria where Coptic Pope Tawadros II had been leading a Palm Sunday service. Eleven people were killed in that attack, which the interior ministry said was caused by a suicide bomber who blew himself up when police prevented him from entering the church. The ministry said Tawadros was unharmed, and a church official said he had left t...

Bayern Munich are sweating on the fitness of Mats Hummels for Wednesday’s Champions League home clash against Real Madrid after the Germany defender injured his ankle in training on Sunday. The centre-back was left on the bench for Saturday’s 4-1 Bundesliga drubbing of Borussia Dortmund in Munich having been rested by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the quarter-final, first-leg, match against Real. But Hummels let out a cry after injuring his right ankle in Sunday’s training session and was taken away on a golf cart after treatment, leaving Bayern waiting to see how bad the injury is. If Hummels is ruled out of the Allianz Arena clash against Real, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez will resume their centre-back partnership. There is some good news for Bayern as Germany forward Thomas Mueller was back in training after missing their last two matches with an ankle injury. Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer faces a race against time to be fit to face the Spanish giants and has no...

Jose Mourinho suggested last weekend that he had considered abandoning a push for the Premier League’s top four to focus on European competition and failure to beat Sunderland on Sunday may see that pledge become a reality. United’s best hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League increasingly appears to be by winning the Europa League, with the first leg of their quarter-final against Anderlecht in Belgium on Thursday. Mourinho’s team face a congested fixture list — the visit to Sunderland will be their third of nine matches during April. The first two ended in disappointing home draws against West Bromwich Albion and Everton, leaving United four points adrift of the top four with a game in hand. At least, Mourinho has his leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic back. The former Paris Saint-Germain striker was not at his best against Everton on his return from a three-match domestic ban, but showed the calmness required to convert the 94th-minute penalty that se...

The Super Eagles will begin preparation for their Cameroon 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa immediately after the end of the European season, Coach Gernot Rohr has revealed. Nigeria meets South Africa on June 10 in a Cameroon 2017 Group E qualifier in Uyo. The team is expected to camp in France and fly direct to Uyo a few days before the game. “We are meeting them in just eight weeks, so we don’t have much time. We must prepare very well for that match and we have already set out a training scheme to prepare the team,” Rohr said. “Some of the players will finish their league season at the beginning of May, some middle of May and we cannot allow them to go for holiday for three weeks and later ask them to come to camp ahead of the game against South Africa. “We have a programme to work together as a team. We have arranged for camping in France and we have been invited for some friendly games, although it’s not FIFA window. We have some young play...

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has said he is not bothered about Diego Costa’s goal drought, because of his overall contribution as they march towards the Premier League title. Costa, who is the Blues’s top scorer this season, has failed to find the back of the net in their last four matches. Conte insists that a drop in form can happen at any point in a season and has backed the 28-year-old to start scoring again. “No, I’m not concerned about this,” Conte said at a news conference at Cobham Training Centre. Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has said he is not bothered about Diego Costa’s goal drought, because of his overall contribution as they march towards the Premier League title. Costa, who is the Blues’s top scorer this season, has failed to find the back of the net in their last four matches. Conte insists that a drop in form can happen at any point in a season and has backed the 28-year-old to start scoring again. “No, I’m not concerned about this,” Conte said at a ...

Former presidential adviser and prominent Bakassi leader in Cross River State, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ita-Giwa popularly known as “Mama Bakassi,” was a pioneer member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which later merged to form APC before decamping to PDP in 2004. Ita-Giwa who decamped yesterday and was registered by the APC Chairman of her Ata Ema ward, Inyang Okon, in Bakassi, said she joined the party because she needed a credible platform to continue her political life and contribute to the development of the society. The strong lady of Cross River politics had won election as a senator in ANPP in 1999 and later in 2004 under PDP, promised to work for the country and President Muhammadu Buhari, who she described as a greatly misunderstood man. “There is no retirement age for politics. Nigeria needs experience. As you grow older in politics you learn on the job...

Antonio Conte insists that Diego Costa remains valuable to Chelsea even when he is not scoring regularly, and says he has no concerns about the Spain international’s performances in recent weeks. Costa has scored just four goals in 12 appearances for Chelsea since mid-January, when he was dropped by Conte following a training-ground row with a fitness coach over a back injury as well as a lucrative offer from Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian. This run constitutes a significant slump in contrast to Costa’s scintillating form prior to the turn of the year, when he contributed 14 goals and five assists in 20 appearances to help fire the Blues to the top of the Premier League. Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City extended Costa’s current barren streak to four matches — during which time he has also received three yellow cards — but Conte is adamant that his striker is playing a key role in Chelsea’s march towards the Premier League title. “I’m not conc...

Jose Mourinho has spoken once again of his regret at Manchester United’s decision to sell Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in August 2015 by claiming that the Mexico forward would have scored at least 20 goals for the club this season. Hernandez, 28, was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for just £7.3 million by former United manager Louis van Gaal after failing to impress the Dutchman during his first season in charge at Old Trafford. Mourinho admitted last month that he would never have sold the likes of Chicharito, Danny Welbeck and Angel di Maria — all dispensed with by Van Gaal — had he been in charge of United at the time. But with United scoring a mere 43 goals in the Premier League this season, and only Zlatan Ibrahimovic hitting double figures in the league, Mourinho believes that a “killer” like Chicharito would have added crucial firepower to his team this term. “We have good players, they are creative players, they can create, but they are not the kind of guy that i...

The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday called for increased global attention for HIV/AIDS funding in Nigeria. In a statement by Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Saraki said that the fate of over 3.4 million Nigerians living with the infection would be uncertain with poor funding. “Information at our disposal reveal that significant global support for HIV/AIDs in Nigeria has been withdrawn. “In order not to jeopardise the treatment of millions of Nigerians that are living with HIV and AIDS, government at all levels must continue to work with our international partners to identify alternative sources of funding. “The fire brigade approach will not work on this issue. Foresight, preparation and strategies must be put in place to tackle the potential threat to life. “Additionally, we must assemble a team of prominent medical professionals and eminent Nigerians at home and abroad to create a campaign. “This is to persu...

  Jesse Lingard says he is “over the moon” to sign a new contract with Manchester United and claimed his main motivation was winning more trophies with the club. The England winger put pen to paper on a new four-year contract at Old Trafford on Thursday, a lucrative deal said to be worth £100,000-a-week. Lingard, 24, has scored in FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield victories at Wembley inside the last year and insists it is the drive to win further silverware with United that led to his renewal. “I am obviously over the moon and very happy,” Lingard said to MUTV. “Me and my family worked hard to get me to where I am and the hard work now starts again. “We know Manchester United’s history and the fact the club is known for winning trophies. That is why I signed again. “We want more silverware like we have had over the last two years. “We know [Jose Mourinho’s] resume and the fact he has won a lot of trophies. It is obviously great to work under him. He has put tru...

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ekiti State has described the renewed efforts by the Minister of Solid Minerals and former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to remove Governor Ayodele Fayose from office through alleged judicial manipulations as an effort in futility. This came as a factional chairman of the PDP in Lagos State, Mr. Segun Adewale, has distanced himself from the plot to unseat governor Fayose. Ekiti factional State Chairman of the party, Gboyega Oguntuase, said Governor Fayose’s election was ordained by God and validated by the people of Ekiti state, as reflected in the overwhelming support he received during the June 21, 2014 governorship election. Oguntuase said no amount of surreptitious plots would subvert the will of the electorate who freely gave Fayose victory in the election in the 16 councils, with Fayemi as an incumbent governor. Addressing newsmen, yesterday in Ado Ekiti, Oguntuase said the people will resist every “attempt ...

Referee Mark Clattenburg will take charge of his final Premier League fixture at the end of this month. Clattenburg has not been selected to handle any match for six round of fixtures, after he agreed to take up a new position in Saudi Arabia at the end of the season. PGMOL chief, Mike Riley, has chosen to work with the officials that will still be in the Premier League next year. However, SportsMail reports that the weekend of April 29 has been earmarked as a possible swansong for the 42-year-old. Fixtures that weekend include Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal and Chelsea at Everton. Although Clattenburg has been available for selection, he has been overlooked since February 25 and was also not featured in the recent Sky Sports documentary “The Referees – Onside with Carragher and Neville”.

  Jeans are the perfect clothing choice for trendy girls and women around the world. It is the oldest fashion trend for women who like versatile and comfortable wear to keep safe from cold in the winter and also look nice. Jeans can be an annoyance too despite all the joy it brings to women; it feels awkward when you bend and suddenly your crack is exposed to the world. Let us help you avoiding the issues with jeans that annoy many women every once in a while. Jeans Higher Than Ankle Crease When your lovely jeans are higher than your ankle, your ankles might look sloppy. Not noticing the jeans length in the store might make you purchase jeans that are shorter than your legs. Hence, you need to hem them by going to the tailor again to fix the height. Therefore the biggest challenge is to pick out trendy jeans that suit your height and fits your legs in length. Jeans That Prevents You to Stretch If you want to save yourself from public humiliation, then avoid w...

India has been quite a forerunner when it comes to the use of coconut oil. Most women and men swear by the application of warm oil on their tresses. The general rule of thumb, so to speak, is to inculcate a habit of massaging the scalp at least once a week. The oil is left on the hair for a couple of hours and after a shower, you notice the difference - your hair feels lovely. Aside from the effect that this natural oil brings to the table for your hair, there are plenty of other advantages Let us dwell on some of the benefits of the oil. Cooking Most people do not realize this but coconut oil is quite advantageous while cooking. A reliable brand adds to the flavor. The taste and smell adds texture to an average curry or even chutney. I would suggest that you buy a small bottle or packet. Coconut oil left for a long time tends to get rancid and you do not want to use this at all either on your tresses or in your cooking. If you end up forgetting about the oil in y...

  When it comes to multi-tasking a makeup item - Eyeliner is the first thing that comes to mind, one liner and so many different looks. Lining is one of those makeup items that highlights and elevates the most important feature of your face and can offer you the right look that you need on a day when you are running short of time. There is no doubt in this that eyeliner is a must to carry in your purse and one can't do much without it. Winged Tip Wearing your eyeliner in this way will definitely give you a stunning look as it is very popular nowadays. It gives your eyes a very well-defined look along with giving it a glam touch. There are many tutorials through which you can easily learn to get the winged tip. White Liner White liner is a must to carry for a girl. This trendy eye liner can add so much glam to your eye makeup that you wish you got your hands on it before. The best way to use it is by applying it on the lower waterline to give your eyes a broader...

Nigeria needs an oil price of $139 a barrel to balance its budget this year, Fitch Ratings Ltd said on Thursday. Fitch, an international rating agency, in an April 5 report, said Nigeria has the worst situation among 14 major oil exporting nations in the Middle East, Africa and emerging Europe. Bloomberg reports that the agency said Kuwait is in the best position of major oil exporting nations to have a balanced government budget this year with oil forecast to average $52.50 a barrel. The report noted that even after cuts in government subsidies and currency devaluations, 11 of them won’t have balanced government budgets this year, including Saudi Arabia. “Fiscal reforms and exchange rate adjustments are generally supporting improved fiscal positions compared to 2015, but have not prevented erosion of sovereign creditworthiness,” the rating agency said. It explained further that only Kuwait, Qatar and the Republic of Congo have estimated break-evens that are below Fi...

  Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says he would give Real Madrid an “energetic and determined” reply if they enquire about paying the €24 million release clause to sign Theo Hernandez this summer. Theo, 19, has impressed on loan at Alaves this season, with Madrid among a host of teams including Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United who have been linked with a move for the France youth international. Earlier this week, Marca claimed that Madrid planned to pay the left-back’s €24 million release clause this summer, breaking an unwritten gentleman’s agreement which prevents such transfers between the neighbouring clubs taking place. Liverpool have also reportedly joined the chase, and could potentially quintuple his current wages to €5m-a-year, according to El Larguero. Cerezo spoke about the situation on El Transistor — the same radio show which earlier this week claimed Atletico were so angry with Madrid for approaching Theo’s representatives wit...

  Toni Kroos has a great working relationship with Zinedine Zidane, stating he has improved the team since taking over as Real Madrid coach. The former France and Madrid star was promoted from running the Castilla side to leading the first team in January 2016, replacing Rafael Benitez in charge, leading them to success in the Champions League and Club World Cup within his first calendar year. Kroos has been a key player under Zidane and is joint-second in La Liga’s assist chart with 10 – sitting alongside Neymar and behind only Luis Suarez, while the Germany international has created 63 chances – a figure bettered by just four players in the Spanish top flight. And the 27-year-old feels a lot of his effectiveness is down to the coach, who has had a huge influence on the club since his appointment. “When he arrived about 15 months ago, the situation was not ideal in the club, nor in the team, but he changed everything,” Kroos told UEFA. “Zidane created a very pos...