Gist Coven

Time for Zidane to choose a third way? "Real Madrid's players needed a match like that" As criticism has rained down on Real Madrid from all sides, Zinedine Zidane has elected to defend his players for months; perhaps Sunday's 7-1 victory against Deportivo La Coruna has proven the French coach right all along. With Barcelona so far ahead in LaLiga it's obvious that defending their domestic crown is an impossible task for the Madrid club, however the victory against the Galicians has proven just what the team is capable of when most of their big players are available. Gareth Bale has missed much of the campaign, since Christmas he has been able to build his fitness gradually and now is capable of playing successive matches; his brace on Sunday highlighted just what he can do when healthy and confidence. Zidane has been criticised from his approach to the transfer market, all January long he has repeated his belief that the club don't need to sign

It is fasting time in churches again. Despite its numerous spiritual benefits, not many people are used to it. Most times, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. However, both – the spirit and the flesh – benefit from fasting. Over the years studies have continued to find many health benefits of fasting, making it a two-for-one exercise. The well-known spiritual benefits of fasting, which involve exchanging what we need to survive for what we need to live for God, include the following identified by religious experts: Soul cleansing: Fasting is a great time to remember the spiritual connection we have to our physical bodies. Without the toxins we put in our bodies, we not only give our bodies a break from the digestive process, but we also allow our spirits to be detoxed. Fasting is a faith-move, an expectation we have that God will fill us with His Holy Spirit, just as He promised. Fasting and meditation cleanse the soul and makes it new so we can receive the Holy Spir

An auto parts dealer in the Owode Onirin area of Lagos State, Lukman Ogundele, has died in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos State Police Command. Although the police formation had been reportedly evasive on the whereabouts of the father of two children, a police charge sheet sighted by PUNCH marked his name ‘late’. It was learnt that Lukman and his friend, Saheed Abayomi, had been arrested by SARS operatives for facilitating the sale of a stolen Toyota Camry. It was gathered that the police apprehended Lukman in the midnight of December 29, 2017 and took him into custody in Ikeja, where he was detained alongside Abayomi and two others. Abayomi and Lukman’s families reportedly searched for them at police stations across the state, until on December 31 when Abayomi’s mother traced him to the SARS office. It was gathered that Lukman’s wife, Wunmi Ogundele, and relatives consequently visited SARS office on several occasions, but were not allowed to see him.

The Federal Government says work will commence next week on cattle colonies in states that has indicated interest to establish them. PREMIUM TIMES reported the mixed reactions that have trailed the proposal for cattle colonies. Some states like Benue and Taraba, which have experienced clashes between farmers and herdsmen, have rejected the proposal, while others like Kogi supported it. Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed the imminent commencement on Friday during a visit to the Agriculture and Veterinary Complex of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Mr. Ogbeh said the National Economic Council on Thursday set up a 10-member committee comprising the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as chairman and nine governors to facilitate the commencement of the cattle colonies in interested states. “We are happy that we are making progress in agriculture now. “One of the most topical issues we have today is that of farmers and herdsmen clashes. “If

If one is looking for that hardworking celebrity who does not seat back to wait for a man to support her then one won’t be wrong at picking Nollywood actress, Caroline Danjuma. The actress has become one hardworking celeb as she wears both motherly crown and the boss crown as she shuttles between acting, business and schooling. In a recent chat monitored by Nollywoodgists.com, the actress, disclosed that acting is just something she loves doing but cannot depend on that alone as she also needs to push herself further. In her words, “I’m self-made, I sent myself to school and my MBA, although I’m not there yet but surely will be there as I have so many things I am doing and also planning.” Unlike many who would have come online to brag about things they have achieved, the actress has been busy building herself to her standard as she stylishly disclosed that she just completed her new house which she will be moving in soon. “oh, I have just completed my new house, yippee, you

A group, under the aegis of Middle Belt Youth Forum, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to contest the 2019 Presidential election, following his inability to address herdsmen killings that has consumed several lives in the region. In a press statement signed by the National President, Comrade Pius Attah and Secretary, Dan Kadarko and made available to Daily Sun in Jos, the group said the Middle Belt is currently shopping for a credible candidate that will defend interest of the region in 2019. “President Buhari has not been able to addressed the insecurity ravaging the Middle Belt, particularly the recent killings by herdsmen in Benue state that claimed about 73 innocent lives. The Fulani has issued another threats that if Governor Samuel Ortom does not rescind on the implementation of the anti-grazing law, the state risk another attack and Federal Government has not called them to order. “It is based on this that we advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to contest th

Security agencies in Nigeria have alleged that the Islamic State in West Africa network operating within some North Central and South-South sections of Nigeria may be responsible for the recent killings recorded in Benue State and other parts of the country, PUNCH reports. This information is said to be contained in an intelligence report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by security agencies, including the Department of State Service. A top government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told journalists on Sunday that the security organisations told the President that the ISWA network is using foreign terrorists and recruiting young men to fight and kill innocent persons “ostensibly to exacerbate tensions along the county’s ethnic, religious and regional fault lines.” He said the discovery was made following the arrest of several suspected attackers made up of Fulani herdsmen, government-sponsored militias, militants and other miscreants in Benue State. A

There is widespread tension and apprehension in Taraba as a helicopter allegedly loaded with  a large cache of arms and ammunition  last night landed in Jibu village along river Benue in Ibi local government area of the state. Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Dan-Abu told our correspondent that the arms and ammunition are allegedly meant for a militia group that may be planning attack on Taraba villages. “This system of arms delivery was used prior to the tragic attacks in Agatu communities in Benue State last year which led to the killings there. “When it was reported, nothing was done to trace and arrest the owners of the helicopter. The strategy worked for them in Agatu and they are using it again today. This may be another planned militia attacks on the people of Taraba in the offing,” he said. In a phone interview on Sunday, Member representing Wukari II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Josiah Aji said