Gist Coven

Coutinho and Firmino are among a 30-man shortlist for the annual accolade, which is presented by Sambafoot to the best Brazilian player in Europe. The Reds' No.10 is the holder of the prize having scooped the 2016 edition and, once again, a combined poll of journalists, ex-professionals and fans will decide the outcome this year. You can show your support for Coutinho and Firmino by voting for your top three  here . The poll closes on December 30. Other previous winners of the Samba Gold award, which was launched in 2008, include Kaka, Thiago Silva and Neymar. http://www.sambafoot.com/en/samba-gold

President Buhari was yesterday overwhelmed at the crowd that came out to welcome him in Kano state where he is currently on a 2-day working visit. Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, President Buhari said 'I am overwhelmed by the sea of people I see and by what I see today, if elections are contested I will no doubt win it' . LINDAIKEJIBLOG

The Country Director of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Mr. Andrew Dunn, in a statement yesterday, said: “A large male gorilla was recently seen close to the villages of Ofambe and Okiro in Boki Local Council, at least 10 kilometres from Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and far from any forest. “Gorillas normally live in small groups composed of a large dominant male known as a silverback together with three-four females and their young. When these young gorillas mature, they leave to join another gorilla group. “Young male gorillas are known as blackbacks.. Each blackback gorilla must roam the forest in search of a mate. These wanderings are very important for the long-term survival of the species, allowing for the exchange of genes between groups, provided he is successful in finding a wife!” A Cross River Gorilla expert Dr. Inaoyom Imong of the WCS in Calabar explained: “as long as the gorilla is left alone, it will likely find its way back to the forest, and hopefully a...

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in all six Champions League group-stage matches in a season on Wednesday with a first-half strike for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund. The 32-year-old’s effort that flew into the top corner also drew the Portuguese forward level with his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi on 60 group-stage goals in total. It was his ninth this season. Real, bidding for a third straight Champions League title, led Dortmund 2-1 at half-time, but are already guaranteed to qualify for the last 16 from Group H as runners-up to Tottenham Hotspur.

He captioned it; “#WCW …So awesome!!!!

Ahead of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a former Minister of Mines and Steal and chieftain of the party, Wole Oyelese, has accused the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of backing Uche Secondus for selfish reasons. Secundus, a PDP chieftain from the South South, is one of the aspirants for the coming election for the PDP National Chairmanship position. Oyelese said Wike, and some PDP governors were fighting for Secondus’ emergence for their selfish reasons. The ex-Minister warned the party leaders and delegates against falling into the trap of Wike and other governors by ‘imposing’ Secondus as the PDP chairman, adding that doing so would lead the party into a “disastrous crisis.” Oyelese said this in a statement on Wednesday where he noted that “Secondus leading the party is certainly a disaster waiting to happen.” He added, “I will not expect anybody that loves the PDP to support Secondus because of his past record but there is a differenc...

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II that nobody could disabuse the minds of Nigerians on his clear intentions for the country and its citizens concerning his electoral promises prior to the 2015 presidential election. This was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu. Buhari said this while paying homage to the Emir at the start of his two-day state visit to Kano. He said, “The three things we said in our campaign on security, economy and fighting corruption, nobody will be able to successfully disabuse the minds of Nigerians on our clear intentions for our country and our people.” The President further assured all citizens of the country that the fight against the degraded Boko Haram will be sustained. He also said the positive trends in the economy and the fight against corruption will continue. He recounted his fond memories of Kano as a symbol of peace, trade, commerce and indus...

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has hailed his front four as the best attacking quartet in Europe. Klopp, speaking after their 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday night, insisted that his strike force will instill fear into any team left in the competition. Asked if the Reds are a match for any team left in the competition, the German said: “If we perform like this tonight, if we are that clinical, then yes. If we perform like this then it is obviously a threat, 100 per cent.” Philippe Coutinho netted a hat-trick and goals from Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah completed the Spartak blitz. Klopp added: “It was an all-round, really brilliant performance.” Liverpool could face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the klast 16, but the Reds boss insists he is not afraid of anyone. “There are a lot of really strong teams. This year is quite special. Not often you can face Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but Juve and all the others. “Usually I...

Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly has outlined how the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi caused the current crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State. Abe also vowed that he will not leave the APC for another political party. The Senator traced the crisis to the March 4, 2017 meeting convened by the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, in Port Harcourt. The Senator spoke through his Spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson in a statement in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. He said, “I will not leave the APC even in the face of needless provocation and unwarranted bitterness. “As I told the state Chairman of the party, last Sunday, every member of the party knows the cause and the reason for the present crisis in the APC in Rivers State and I will also state it here. “The Minister of Transportation made several shocking pronouncements that heralded the root of our present crisis. ...

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has attributed the ongoing scarcity of fuel across the country on a cabal in the downstream sector. The group said that tanker drivers were not on strike. NUPENG, in a release yesterday, said its members were not responsible for the present shortage of petroleum products being experienced nationwide. According to its president, Mr Igwe Achese, Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG are working and lifting products to the nooks and crannies of the country. Achese said, “NUPENG is not responsible for the present shortage of petroleum products being experienced nationwide. “Our members in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, branch of NUPENG are working and lifting products to the nooks and crannies of the country.” The statement further blamed the policy makers of the country for not adhering to its calls for the urgent need to rehabilitate the nation’s four refineries to get them working optimally. ...