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Neymar agrees £450m transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain

Neymar is leaving Barcelona next season and the MSN era has ended.

Barca fans are still grappling with this shocking news.

The Brazilian footballer has reportedly put pen to paper a five-year £450m deal with french outfit, Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) which would see him net £515,000 a week after tax. The striker has gone into the world record books and history as the highest transfer paid for a footballer. He is expected to arrive Paris by Friday to complete his move.

While many believe the move was right as he will step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow, others opined that it was unwise of him to have chosen money over Barcelona.
Messi paid a video tribute on his instagram page today.
He will reunite with his former colleague, Dani Alves at the French club.
‘s contract at PSG to be:
Per year: £30,992,000
Per month: £2,384,000
Per week: £596,000
Per day: £85,142
Per hour: £3,547

Messi, Suárez & Neymar are the only trio ever to score 100+ goals in a season.

2014/15: 122

2015/16: 131

 2016/17: 111

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Sports

Kelechi Iheanacho moves to Leicester City in £25m deal

Nigerian footballer, Iheanacho Kelechi has sealed a move to Leicester City from Manchester City in a deal valued at £25m.
The club has also insisted on a £50 million buy-back option for the striker
Iheanacho, who had a medical at Leicester’s training ground on Tuesday is expected to be officially unveiled in the next 24 hours. The 20 year-old could make his Leicester debut in Friday’s friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach at the King Power Stadium.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport last month, Leicester agreed a fee and terms nearly four weeks ago for the Nigeria international and have had to be patient while the impasse with his agents was resolved.

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News

Federal Government Begs Dangote to Complete Refinery Before 2019

The Federal Government has said it relies heavily on the Dangote refinery  to fulfill its promise to Nigerians to end fuel importation by December 2019.

To this end, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, who visited the Dangote oil refinery site at Lekki Free Trade Zone, in Lagos, said the government is ready to play its part as a responsible government to assist in making sure the project is completed before the scheduled date.
The minister, who said he was overwhelmed by the dimension of the project, explained that the present government had always believed that the private sector holds the ace in industrialization efforts of the government, and noted that the belief has been reinforced by what Dangote Group is doing.

Said he: “It is good to say that private sector is the answer to Nigeria’s problems with a project as big as this. The challenge I will give you today is that of time; I see your time for completion is 2019 December, but I am sure you will understand my greed if I tell you that the refinery component of this project should come earlier than the set date. I have made very firm commitment to Nigerians that I must stop the importation of petroleum products by 2019 and I am going to keep to it. It is absolutely important that we do this early and given the feat that we have achieved in terms of speed of construction and I urge you to do all within you to achieve its completion before the due date.

“I am sure His Excellency President Buhari will be absolutely enthused if he were to find himself, not only crystallizing the policy position we have taken so far, but also coming here himself to come and open a facility as big as this before the end of his first term. Whatever configurations your engineers have come up with, I urge that they go back to the drawing board and get me my refined products before your said date.”
In his response to the government’s challenge, Dangote said he has accepted the challenge and would do all possible to achieve the feat.
In this regard the President of Dangote Group, stated: “On the honorable minister’s challenge, we are going to make it by the grace of God. I am sure the minister will support us to make sure that we meet his challenge.

“What the minister is trying to do is the best so far for our country, his own version is that Nigeria should not think of exporting crude; you know the problem we have in Africa is that we only export raw materials, not finished goods, so he is saying that, look, we should all do this by adding value and I pray that even at 2.5 million barrels, we should not export much, in terms of the crude.

“We will go back and see what to do to make this happen by fast tracking our processes since the Minister has assured of government’s cooperation and support”.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dangote explained that his group is building the world’s largest single line refinery, Petrochemical Complex, and the world’s second largest Urea Fertiliser plant. The refinery, according to him will have the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The Petrochemical Plant will produce 780 KTPA Polypropylene, 500 KTPA of Polyethylene, while the Fertiliser project will produce 3.0 million metric tons per annum (mmtpa) of Urea.
“In addition, we are also building the largest sub-sea pipeline infrastructure in any country in the world, with a length of 1,100 km, to handle 3 billion SCF of gas per day. We also plan to construct a 570 MW power plant in this complex. As a matter of fact, gas from our gas pipeline will augment the natural domestic gas supply and we estimate an additional 12,000MW of power generation can be added to the grid with the additional gas from our system.  
“We will be adding value to our economy as all these projects will be creating about 4,000 direct and 145,000 indirect jobs. We will also save over $7.5 billion for Nigeria annually, through import substitution and generate an additional $5.5 billion per annum through exports of the refined petroleum products, fertilizer and petrochemicals. We envisage that these projects, which would cost over $18billion, would be completed in 2019”.
 

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 Weddings

Betty Irabor shares marriage nuggets, appoints daughter as editor.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Genevieve magazine, Betty Irabor and her husband, Soni Irabor celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary sme days ago.  The couple who are blessed with two children got married on 29th July 1983. The media enterpreneur also took to her Instagram page to share nuggets on having a successful marriage. Read below:

“What Soni and I have has taken all of 34 years to build… So don’t for one minute think it happened overnight. We have walked on that street called hope but having each other makes it bearable. A successful marriage doesn’t happen over night it requires sacrifice &it takes effort & nurturing.

You want a good marriage? Work at it! Young couples seem to just want everything NOW NOW because they have to prove a point and impress their audience and in the process put a lot of pressure on their marriage. A gd Marriage takes 2, it thrives on love in action, not in mere words.

Marriage requires commitment, empathy, TRUST ( leave each other’s phones ALONE) don’t marry anyone you cannot trust! Don’t overburden each other with over expectations and believe me the grass is not greener on the other side; avoid comparing your marriage/partner to others that seem rosier; water your own garden! In life, everything is turn by turn.

Ojukokoro is a vice that destroys relationships! If you both can’t afford it then you don’t need it. Let you marriage grow organically. Do everything in love..don’t overburden each other with unrealistic demands.

Marriage won’t necessarily fix a bad relationship especially if your partner has habits that he/she won’t let go. Fix those issues before you say I DO! If he or she is violent and slaps you around now, marriage won’t fix that, if he is insecure because you are a boss woman, that insecurity may linger and lead to resentment with time.

Be careful who you marry..don’t set yourself up because “all your friends are getting married.. That’s a trap! Don’t over try to change your partner into who they are not; marriage isn’t about changing your partner’s essence rather it is about finding the good in each other.

Celebrate each bite size milestone. a successful marriage starts from the foundation .. If the foundation is not built on CHRIST how can it withstand the storms?

To my young daughters and sons out there I say, dont despise the days of humble beginnings & don’t allow anyone or society force u into a marriage you’re not ready for. If u marry In haste u will repent at leisure… As for me, I believe marriage rocks ..but get ready to work it.”

She also announced the appointment of her daughter, Sonia Irabor as the new editor of Genevieve Magazine.

“Today my daughter Sonia who joined Genevieve at 13 as teen zone columnist is now Editor of Genevieve. A mother’s prayer answered. Sonia has been Genevieve Asst Editor for close to 5 years after her degree in Media studies and Later a post graduate in Drama studies This is very historic for me . Join me in wishing her well on this journey even as she also keeps in view her dream to become an actor..
After seeing Sonia’s potential Toyin Eriye then editor of Genevieve mag invited her to write for the magazine.. That’s how it started.Congratulations dear Sonia as you become Genevieve mag Editor.” She tweeted.

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Sports

Super Eagles' Onazi and wife welcome first child

Say hello to the latest parents in the world!
One year after Super Eagles player, Eddy Ogenyi Onazi and Sandra Ogunsuyi exchanged marital vows, the couple have welcomed their first child; a baby girl in the United States.
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{filename}-Onazi Ogenyi Is Now A Father! (photos)
The excited father shared the news on his official instagram page. “Only God knows how I feel right now. God you are faithful this is the best gift you can get on a new month. ”
{filename}-Onazi Ogenyi Is Now A Father! (photos)
 

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Sports

" I have never concealed anything" – Cristiano Ronaldo releases statement after appearing in court.

Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, appeared in a Spanish court today, to testify in his €14.7m tax evasion case. The 32-year-old was accused of taking “advantage of a company structure created in 2010 to hide income generated in Spain from his image rights from tax authorities.”, a crime deemed “voluntary and conscious breach of his fiscal obligations in Spain”. If found guilty, the former Manchester United forward could face a fine of “at least €28m” and a prison sentence of three-and-a-half years.

The Real Madrid forward who boycotted the press after the hearing released a statement, denying all wrongdoing. Read below:

“The Spanish Treasury knows in detail all my income, because we gave it to them, I have never concealed anything, nor did I intend to evade taxes. I always do my tax returns voluntarily, because I think we all have to declare and pay taxes according to our income. Those who know me, know what I ask my advisors: to have everything up to date and properly paid, because I do not want problems.

“It is time to let justice work, I believe in justice. In order to avoid unnecessary pressure or to contribute to a parallel trial, I have decided that I will not make any further statements on this subject until such a decision is made.”

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Sports

Manchester United confirm Matic signing

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Nemanja Matic on a three-year deal

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic in a three-year deal valued at £40million. The 28-year-old who will earn £140,000 a week will wear the No 31 at United.

Speaking on the Serbian international’s move, Jose Mourinho said: “Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player. I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31.”
Nemanja Matic said: “I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support. I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and to start training with them. This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club.”

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News

Introducing The Springwell Academy!

 
Based in Port Harcourt? Is your ward making a transition from primary to secondary school? Head to springwellacademy.com. It is important to ensure that their experience during such transition is a positive one and a good academic foundation is laid.
Situated at KM 4, Afam Road Izuoma Oyigbo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Springwell Academy aims to blaze the trail in functional education. The school currently offers admission into JSS 1 and forms can be obtained at springwellacademy.com and applications areaccepted throughout the year.
Springwell Academy was birthed from a dream to provide the highest quality education and produce students with excellent moral and educational values. One of the missions of the school is to articulate a curriculum which is infused with Christian principles.
Springwell Academy believes that every child is a well of potentials which springs up via education. Their vision is to walk with God and promote excellence for global impact.
You can have confidence that your child’s future is in good hands at the Springwell Academy Students are nurtured, guided and taught to recognize and harness their potential to make significant contribution in their chosen careers and be relevant locally and internationally.
A team of academic and non-academic staff have been carefully selected to accomplish this vision.
Since values are “caught” and not “taught” every staff will be a role model with Jesus Christ as the ultimate.
Asides the national curriculum, attention will also be given to other curricular such as British and American as well as Chinese and Spanish languages. Exchange programmes and excursions (locally and internationally) will be undertaken for practical, and broader knowledge of other climes.
Springwell Academy is well-equipped with all the modern facilities and equipment that facilitate easy learning. Sports facilities include basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis and table tennis courts, football and hockey fields. Scholarship opportunities are available at Springwell Academy. 20% on tuition fee will be given to students with outstanding leadership, sports performances in the entrance examinations.
For more information

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fashion

Michael Kors to buy Jimmy Choo for $1.17 billion


Popular fashion brand, Michael Kors has agreed to buy accessory and fragrance brand Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion. This development is coming after Jimmy Choo, was put up for sale in April after its sales growth fell 0.8 per cent in 2016, which the company said “reflected the luxury-sector slowdown.” Profit for the year fell from £19.4m to £15.4m.  Michael Kors said its offer was “final and will not be increased”, unless there is another offer from a third party.

Chairman and chief executive officer of Michael Kors, John Idol said “Jimmy Choo is known worldwide for its glamorous and fashion-forward footwear, the company is a leader in setting fashion trends. Its innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship resonate with trendsetters globally. We believe that Jimmy Choo is poised for meaningful growth in the future and we are committed to supporting the strong brand equity that Jimmy Choo has built over the last 20 years.”

Peter Harf, chairman of Jimmy Choo, added: “A combination with Michael Kors will allow Jimmy Choo to embark on its next phase of growth and provide opportunities for the benefit of Jimmy Choo customers, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.”

Founded in 1996, the company will continue to be run by current chief executive Pierre Denis. The deal is expected to close in the coming months.

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Opinion

Opinion: Now that Nigeria is planning to start collecting tax from Beggars, What’s Next?

In an attempt  to raise much needed funds, the Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, has come up with the most ludicrous suggestions of all time : she plans to tax even beggars on their ‘earnings’. She made this perfectly clear at a news conference in Lagos recently.

May I remind the Honourable Minister that ‘begging’ is not actually an occupation but rather a means to survive in times of harsh economic times. Nobody wants to go on the streets and beg for alms – for some it’s a necessity; the alms they receive from charitable people enables them to survive. Yes, there are some professional beggars but not all of them are.

But if the minister is still intent on taxing beggars hopefully she hasn’t forgotten about also taxing armed robbers, cultists, kidnappers ( – ‘Evans’ didn’t pay any tax on the billions he earned from kidnapping!), drug smugglers, Yahoo yahoo boys etc. There’s a long list of people who earn a fortune in the ‘black economy’ and never pay a penny in tax. Some of these people earn more money than most honest people will ever see in a lifetime!

And will she also be taxing any of the bribes or backhanders  her fellow ministers and politicians periodically receive? And what about the Fulani herdsmen? They don’t pay any tax (- but who’s brave enough to ask them for it?)

Surely there are many other ways to raise funds through taxing; the Finance Minister just needs to be a little bit more creative – and reasonable. For instance how about a tax on people who have big second homes? Or  what about taxing a little bit extra on people who have  private planes and yachts? It won’t hurt their bank balances! And what about all the  religious organisations who hide under the façade  of ‘non-profitable organisations’ ? I can name a few ‘fat-cat-non-profitable-ventures’ beggars (aka pastors!) who need taxing; they live bourgeois and opulent lifestyles financed by the charitable contributions of their church members. In reality they are just sophisticated beggars who prey on their vulnerable congregation. Bishop Oyedepo, for instance, can afford to pay a little more tax on his ‘non-profitable-ventures’ earnings.

If this goes ahead it’ll be interesting to see how it will be implemented; will an army of ‘beggar’ tax collectors be employed to collect taxes? How will you determine what they will pay? Or how do you determine how much they earn from begging? How will you enforce such a law? Currently more than 97% of the population of Lagos state don’t pay any tax at all!

Perhaps the real problem is how easy it is to avoid paying tax in Nigeria; you can bribe a tax official to give you a tax clearance certificate; you can operate off the grid, in a black market environment and the authorities will never know or you can simply refuse to pay a tax summons – who’s going to enforce it?

To generate funds through taxation, which is vital for any nations’ growth, an adequate and fair system needs to be put in place.

The taxation system needs to be transparent for all so that everyone pays the correct tax based on their income. Tax loopholes, like the so-called ‘non-profitable ventures’ need to be assessed properly or outlawed. Then there needs to be a system that will collect and enforce non-payment of such – if 97% of people in Lagos don’t pay tax and you can’t enforce it you have a problem.

It’s all good and fair the minister is making plans to tax everybody but without a proper system in place she is just wasting her time.

Surely there must be other ways or means of raising funds without having to resort to harassing the least fortunate members of society for their measly widow’s mite.

Tony Ogunlowo blogs at http://www.archangel641.blogspot.co.uk

 

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