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Real Madrid tops world's most valuable football clubs list.

Spanish giant, Real Madrid has for the third consecutive year topped Forbes list of 20 most ‎valuable football clubs in the world.
Valued at $3.26bn, the club boasts of revenue of $746m and this according to Forbes was enough to keep them top of the list.
Forbes took into account equity and net debt, operating income
and transfer net spend when calculating its league table‎.
The 20 most valuable football teams in the world are worth an average of $1.16bn, 11% more than last year and 84% higher than five years ago.‎ Barcelona is in second spot, valued at $3.2bn, while Manchester United is third on $3.1bn.
The 10 most valuable soccer teams 
1. Real Madrid $3.26 
2. Barcelona $3.16 
3. Manchester United $3.10 
4. Bayern Munich $2.35 
5. Manchester City $1.38 
6. Chelsea $1.37 
7. Arsenal $1.31 
8. Liverpool $982 
9. Juventus $837 
10. AC Milan $775‎

Court permits Jimi Agbaje to inspect poll materials

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje who challenged the victory of his main rival, Akinwunmi Ambode in the last poll at the Election Tribunal has been permitted by the court to inspect the materials used during the election.
Agbaje alleged some irregularities
during the election and thus contested Ambode’s victory on three grounds:
(1) INEC’s non-compliance with Section 7 of its own 2015 Election Guidelines which provides for the use of card readers in all polling units.
(Agbaje is therefore seeking the cancellation of the results of all polling units where card readers were not used.)
(2) APC’s non-compliance with Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which stipulates that a party must give INEC 21 days notice of the convention where it intends to choose its governorship candidate.
APC’s letter notifying INEC of the convention where Ambode was elected was submitted on November 18, 2014 while he was chosen as the party’s candidate on December 4, 2014, 5 days shy of the official requirement.
(3) Ambode’s allegedly conflicting claims of his state of origin. Agbaje is alleging that the APC candidate stated in his JAMB form (REG No: 646789) that he’s from Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State while in his governorship form, he claims, under oath, to be from Epe in Lagos State.
The three-man tribunal led by Justice ‎Muhammad Sirajo ordered INEC to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from the card reader machine, in each polling unit.
The Tribunal however rejected Agbaje’s request to inspect the polling documents and devices used in the conduct of the March 28 Presidential Election in Lagos State.
“The tribunal does not have the power to make an order for the inspection of the documents and devices used for the presidential election. It is hereby refused,” Sirajo affirmed.‎

Peter 'Psquare' Okoye commends Emmanuel Adebayor for opening up about his family issues.

Peter ‘Psquare’ Okoye has commended Tottenham footballer, Emannuel Adebayor for his bravery after opening up about his family issues.
The Togolese international, who recently took to his facebook page to open a can of worms about his siblings and mother got the backing of his friend today. 

Peter Okoye wrote, ‎“@e_adebayor thank you for sharing your story bro, that was very brave. Indeed as Africans,the pressure is always on the most successful in the family and it hurts when your efforts are not appreciated and belittled. Truth is, you owe no one. Your family should be proud of you and not condemn you. I’m so proud of you bro. Remain blessed”

Open Letter To Prof. Wole Soyinka | By: John Abraham Godson

Dear Prof. Wole Soyinka,
It is with deep sadness that I read your remarks made during you lecture titled ‘Predicting Nigeria, Electoral Ironies’ at the Harvard University Hutchins Centre for African & African American Research, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, where you referred to the Igbos as “greedy”.
During your lecture you were alleged to have said:

“The Igbos are probably the only group of Nigerians that you can predict with great accuracy whom they will vote for in an election, because they tend to put their votes where their stomachs take them; suffering as it were, from incurable money-mindedness, as they would stop at nothing in their quest for personal financial gain.”

 

Your statement is not only divisive based on ignorant stereotyping, it also is also racist, and capable of of flaring up tribal conflicts amongst Nigerians. Such a statement from a respected statesman and educated nobel laureate can cause unprecedented havoc in the very delicate unity of our nation – Nigeria. 
It is very alarming to hear lately of anti-Igbo rhetoric from the Yoruba elite and especially from people of your intelligence and calibre. It is very sad and disheartening.
For us Nigerians in the Diaspora,we cherish our fraternity and constantly strive hard to build our brotherhood not only as Nigerians but also as Africans. 
I am an Igbo, an elected member of the Polish Parliament. Many Nigerians in Poland, including Yorubas turn to me for help and support when they have problems. I treat them as my brothers and I am my brother’s keeper.
Your alleged statement, with all due respect, Professor Soyinka, is uninformed, infantile and stereotypical and is a heavy blow on Nigerian Unity. Every tribe or Nigerian nation has its perceived attributes- and yes, the Igbos, like the Jews, are industrious and entrepreneurial and this should be a source of national pride.
Wisdom is said to grow as we get older. It is therefore expected of you as an elderly statesman, Profesor Soyinka, that you will be a role model to the younger generation of Nigerians and indeed Africans. Many look up to you as an example to follow. It is therefore imperative that you show a good example by correcting the above mistake. And the only way you can make up for your mistake is to publicly apologize to the Igbos and to Nigerians for your unwise and tactless statement. May I also advice that you think twice before you make such blanket statements in future.
Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
John Abraham Godson, MP
Chair, Parliamentary Group for Africa
President, The African Institute
Source: Leadership Newspaper.

Chimamanda Adichie's father has been freed by his abductors.

Professor James Nwoye Adichie, the father of renowned writer and author Chimamanda Adichie who was kidnapped on Saturday May 2, 2015, has been freed by his abductors.
The 83 year-old was travelling from Nsukka to his hometown Abba, in Anambra state when the kidnappers abducted him and his driver. The sum of $250, 000 was later demanded  for his release.
Professor Adichie was released at about 8pm last night but what however cannot be ascertained is whether the family paid the ransom.
Prof Adichie is the first professor of statistics in Nigeria and was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

Prof. Wole Soyinka denies insulting the Igbos.

Nobel Laureate and prolific writer, Prof. Wole Soyinka has debunked reports circulating around that he insulted the Igbos during the last elections. Find his post below.
I have just read a statement attributed to me on something called The Cable, a news outlet, evidently one of the Internet infestations. My lecture at the Hutchins Centre, Harvard University, was video recorded. Anyone who believes what I am alleged to have said must be a moron – repeat, a moron.

It is demeaning, sickening and boring to have to deal with these cowards who cannot fight their own battles but must fasten their imbecilic pronouncements on others. Only the mentally retarded will credit this comment attributed to me regarding the Ndigbo voting pattern in the last elections. 


I strongly suspect the author of this despicable concoction, and may make a further statement, once the source is verified.

"I know my strategy". Aliko Dangote on buying Arsenal FC.

Business mogul and the richest man in  Africa is keen on buying top Premier League football club, Arsenal even after being rebuffed by its owners 5 years ago.
In a recent interview on the plane, the 58 year-old who is worth an estimated $15.7 billion (£10.38bn)
said he will make the owners an irresistible offer as soon as he’s through with his current project.
 “I still hope, one day at the right price, that I’ll buy the team. I might buy it, not at a ridiculous price but a price that the owners won’t want to resist. I know my strategy.”
He continued. ‎“We have $16bn-worth [€14bn] of investments in the next few years. Right now I want to take my own business to a certain level. Once I finish on that trajectory, then maybe an offer will follow.”

 

"I'll show Messi who's boss". Manuel Neuer

Bayern Munich’s skipper, Manuel Neuer has vowed to stop Barcelona attacker, Lionel Messi when they meet in the Champions League semi-finals today.
The 2014 Ballon d’Or nominee believes he can replicate his performance at the World Cup in the game and silence the world best footballer. 

He told L’Equipe, “I have a lot of respect for Messi and for everything that he has achieved. He is very humble. But it’s crucial to show authority when we meet on the pitch and show him who’s boss. I did the same in the World Cup final and this worked out pretty well.

“We will be looking to do the same on Wednesday night. It is vital to obtain a position of dominance and instil respect. We have to make good use of our physical presence, our character and show a certain ruthlessness.”

Although the German international foresees a tough game he’s confident his team will perform well.
“We know that we face a tough task, but I am confident we will get our chances.” He added.

Photos: Britain's first cinema reopens

35 years after it was closed down and turned into lecture halls, 
Britain’s first cinema has flickered back to life.
The Cinema in the 80s
Situated at the Regent Street in Central London, the first cinema was the first place to show a film in the UK, the Lumiere brothers’ Cinematographer ‎in 1896.  
A whooping £6million was spent on its refurbishment. The 119 year-old cinema has been rebuilt in an art-deco style by architect Tim Ronalds and it will introduce audiences to moving pictures.

"Hopefully families can learn from what happened to me". Emmanuel Adebayor addresses family issues again.

Togolese international, Emmanuel  Adebayo has taken to his official facebook page to address longstanding family issues. This is coming months after he accused his mother of practising witchcraft on him. Find his post below.

“SEA, I have kept these stories for a long time but I think today it is worth sharing some of them with you. It’s true that family matters should be solved internally and not in public but I am doing this so that hopefully all families can learn from what happened in ‎mine. Also keep in mind that none of this is about money. 

At the age of 17, with my first wages as a footballer, I built a house for my family and made sure they are safe. As you all know, I have received the trophy of African Player of the Year in 2008. 

I also brought my mother on stage with me to thank her for everything. In that same year, I brought her to London for various medical check ups. When my daughter was born, we contacted my mum to inform her but she immediately hung up the phone and didn’t wanna know hear about it. 

Reading your recent comments, some people said my family and I should consult T.B Joshua. In 2013, I gave my mother money so she could consult him in Nigeria. She was supposed to stay for 1 week; but 2 days into her stay, I received a call saying she left. 

Apart from all that l also gave my mother a great amount of money to start a business of cookies and different items. Naturally, I allowed them to put my name and picture on them so they can sell more. What else can a son do in his power to support his family?

A couple years ago, I bought a house in East Lagon (Ghana) for $1.2 million. I found it normal to let my older sister, Yabo Adebayor stay in that house. I also allowed my half brother (Daniel) to stay in the same house. 

A few months later, I was on vacation and decided to go to that house. At my surprise, I saw many cars in the driveway. In fact, my sister decided to rent out the house without me knowing. She also kicked Daniel out of that house. 

Note that the house had about 15 rooms. When I called her and asked for explanation, she took about 30 minutes to abuse and insult me over the phone. I called my mother to explain the situation and she did the same as my sister. This same sister says I am ungrateful. Ask her about the car she is driving or anything she is selling today? 

My brother Kola Adebayor, has now been in Germany for 25 years. He travelled back home about 4 times, at my expense. I fully cover the cost of his children’s education. When I was in Monaco, he came to me and asked for money to start a business. Only God knows how much I gave him. Where is that business today? 

When our brother Peter passed away, I sent Kola a great amount of money so he could fly back home. He never showed up at the burial. And today that same brother (Kola) is telling people that I am involved in Peter’s death. How? He is the same brother who went and told inaccurate stories about our family to “The Sun” in other to take some money. They also sent a letter to my Club when I was in Madrid so I could get fired. 

When I was in Monaco I thought it would be good to have a family of footballers. So I made sure my brother Rotimi gets into a football academy in France. Within a few months; out of 27 players, he stole 21 phones. 

I would not say any anything about my brother Peter Adebayor because he is not here today. May his soul rest in peace. 

My sister Lucia Adebayor keeps telling people that my dad told me to bring her to Europe. But what would be the purpose to bring her to Europe ? Everyone is here for a reason. 

I was in Ghana when I received the news about my brother Peter being seriously ill. I drove the fastest I could to Togo in order to meet him and help. When I arrived, my mother said I could not see him and I should just give the money and she would solve everything. Only God knows how much I gave her that day. 

People are saying I didn’t do anything to save my brother, Peter. Am I a fool to drive 2 hours to Togo for nothing? I organized a meeting in 2005 to solve our family issues. 

When I asked them about their opinion, they said I should build each family member a house and give each of them a monthly wage.  Today I am still alive and they have already shared all my goods, just in case I die.

For all these reasons, it took very long for me to set up my foundation in Africa. Every time I try to help the people in need, they had to question me and all of them thought it was a bad idea. 

If I am writing this, the main purpose is not to expose my family members. I just want other African families to learn from this. Thank you.

He also wrote this in another separate Facebook post.‎

 ‘Many people requested that I take advice from the living legend, @DidierDrogba.

‘Recently, I sat down with the man himself and the main advice he gave me was to do what pleases me and what makes me happy. Moreover, I should also tell my family [@Kola Adebayor, @Roten De Lux Adebayor and @Lucia Adebayor] to go find a job to do.’ 

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