NEWS : Niger Speaker, Clerk test positive for COVID-19

 

The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Bawa Wuse and the Clerk of the House Mohammed Kagara have gone into self-isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The lawmakers and principal staff, it was learnt have gone into quarantine as the second wave of the pandemic hits the state

A source in the House said most of the test carried on the lawmakers returned negative except that of the Speaker and the Clerk, adding that the dou are, however, responding to treatment.

According to the source, two weeks ago, a member of the house tested positive and this made the whole legislators and staff of the assembly to undergo testing for coronavirus.

“Unfortunately, the results of the speaker and that of clerk turned out positive,” the source said.

Confirming the situation, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mohammed Sani Idrissaid the Speaker and Clerk of the Assembly are down with Covid-19 and currently on isolation, adding that the two are doing well.

The recent spike in the dreaded coronavirus in the state, DAILY POST gathered has led to death including that of a former Head of Service HoS that occurred on Saturday.

The development is said to have created panic in the minds of civil servants in the state and especially, within those in the House of Assembly in particular.

Due to second wave in COVID-19 in the country, Niger State Government last week directed all civil servants to stay at home from Monday, 21st December, 2020 till further notice except those on essential services.

It also ordered the closure of public and private schools and tertiary institutions across the state for the period of thirty days.

ENTERTAINMENT : Wizkid ft Tems’ song makes Obama’s best songs for 2020

 

Former United States President, Barack Obama on Saturday released his best songs for 2020 with Essence, a song by Wizkid featuring Tems making the list.

Obama on Saturday tweeted a list of his top 30 songs for the year 2020.

Nigerian stars have featured prominently on Obama’s favourite songs. Stars such as Burna Boy, Rema and others have featured on Obama’s favourite songs.

However, only Essence featured in the top Obama’s favourite for 2020. The song is from the Made in Lagos album released in 2020.

This is the first time Temilade Openiyi also known as Tems will be appearing on Obama’s list.

It would be recalled that she was recently arrested in Uganda alongside Omah Lay on trumped-up charges of COVID19 violation but released since.

SPORT : EPL, No player is bigger than Manchester United – Solskjaer tells Pogba

 

Manchester United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has reminded French star, Paul Pogba, that no one is bigger than the club.

This is as the war of words between the manager and Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola rumbles on.

Solskjaer, who yesterday completed two years in charge of United, said, “I would just not stand for anyone thinking that he is bigger than Manchester United.

“No one is. Absolutely no one and Paul knows this. It is not only for Paul. It is for all of us.”

The controversial Raiola angered the United boss earlier in the month by claiming it was time Pogba left Old Trafford.

“Paul was here as a kid in the Under-18s. We signed him early on and he comes with the Manchester United DNA in him,” Solskjaer told a press conference ahead of United’s clash with Leeds.

“He knows what we are about. United is about being in a team and Paul has always been an ambitious boy who loves playing football.

“He trains well, he never refuses to train or play, he has a good attitude.

“In fact, I rarely speak to agents.

“I want players who can handle life as well. You can’t just go through agents.”

SPORT : EPL, Arteta responds to calls for his sack after Everton defeat

 

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said he cannot question the fight and energy of his players after a 2-1 defeat to Everton on Saturday, but admits he “understood” his position might become untenable if results fail to improve.

The Gunners slumped to their eighth defeat in 14 Premier League games this season at Goodison Park.

Yerry Mina’s header proved to be the winner, after Nicolas Pepe’s penalty cancelled out an own goal from Rob Holding.

The result leaves Arsenal hovering just above the relegation zone in 15th place.

When put to him that his position may become ‘untenable’, the Spaniard replied: “I understand that. My energy and my focus is only on getting the team out of that situation, maintaining the spirit of the team.

“The fight that the boys show every time they go on the pitch and the energy the boys show on the pitch. You can see that, you cannot deny that.

“Obviously we are against the results, it’s not good enough. It is not good enough for the standards of this football club and this is the challenge. And the fact that we are against.”

SPORT : LaLiga, Pele reacts as Messi equals his record

 Brazil football legend, Pele, has congratulated Barcelona’s Lionel Messi for matching his goalscoring record at a single club.

Messi netted his 643rd for the Catalans as they drew 2-2 with Valencia on Saturday.

That figure matches Pele’s record with Santos in official competition, although the Brazilian scored many more in friendlies and tours.

Messi is also Barca’s all-time highest scorer.

With the 33-year-old set to break his record this season, Pele has now spoken of his admiration for Messi.

“When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path,” the 80-year-old wrote on Instagram.

“Like you, I know what it’s like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home.

“Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona.

“Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much, @leomessi.”

SPORT : LaLiga, Koeman explains why Barcelona dropped points against Valencia

 

Barcelona manager, Ronald Koeman, has blamed a lack of concentration for their 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead through Mouctar Diakhaby’s header, before Lionel Messi levelled just before the break.

Barca went in front thanks to an acrobatic finish from Ronald Araujo in the 52nd minute.

But Valencia ensured they claimed a point after Maxi Gomez scored with 21 minutes left at the Camp Nou.

“It was a difficult game, we turned it around but then we needed to show more concentration,” Koeman said after the match.

“We had some chances but we were not focused enough in key moments. We went out to win the game in the second half but we did not create as much as we wanted to.”

SPORT : Barcelona vs Valencia, Messi equals Pele’s record

 

Lionel Messi equalled Pele’s all-time record of 643 goals for one club, as Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by Valencia on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead through Mouctar Diakhaby in the 29th minute, before Messi levelled from the rebound of his saved penalty.

Pele scored 643 goals with Brazilian side Santos, before a brief stint with the New York Cosmos.

Barca then went in front through Ronald Araujo seven minutes after the break.

But Ronald Koeman’s men were pegged back on 69 minutes as Maxi Gomez levelled for Valencia.

The result leaves the Catalans eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have played a game less.