Garri and 4 Other Daily Foods That Could Kill You

Food is good for the body, providing the much-needed nourishment for energy production, repair of tissue as well providing the necessary chemical substances that will help the body fight diseases.

However, care needs to be taken irrespective of how we prepare and consume food materials as some poor cooked or raw materials could be extremely detrimental to our health and wellbeing.

below are 5 of the everyday consumable foods that can endanger your life if not properly prepared or handled with care.

1. Grated Cassava flakes/Garri

Garri is a staple food that all Nigerians can not do without. It plays an important role in our daily lives….so much so that hardly a day goes by without the consumption of this staple or its derivatives. Unfortunately, Garri is one of the most problematic staples as the raw materials used in its production; Cassava has sap that is rich in cyanides and aflatoxins.

Cyanides are very dangerous chemicals that are capable of killing humans by interfering with the red blood cell’s oxygen uptake and may result in respiratory failure in severe cases. Even worse is that no amount of processing entirely gets rid of all the cyanide in the garri, but the good news is that it can be reduced to consumable levels.

Proper processing should ensure that you don’t get killed by the staple you love but moderate consumption is still advised.

2. Bread

Agege Bread is produced in many Bread Bakeries across Lagos State. Most of these bakeries are unregistered and/or unsupervised by health monitoring agencies in the State or Local governments.

Agege bread comes in various sizes and is usually produced in 2 shifts, night and day. Thus the bread is available hot (warm) and oven fresh in the morning and evening. The loaves of bread are appropriately priced to suit every pocket.

There are however a few health challenges resulting from the massive consumption of Agege Bread by Lagos residents. 

The hygiene of the product right from the bakery to its selling point cannot be guaranteed. Although the bread loaves are brought out from the ovens hot, they are usually taken away for sale naked. 

Many of the bread sellers will be noticed to be wrapping up the bread inside transparent nylon bags by the roadside where they are being sold to the public. Occasionally, some of the dirty loaves are cleaned with dirty rags by the roadside. 

It is therefore, obvious that not many of the bread loaves are hygienic for human consumption.

Concerning the actual contents of the bread, some health problems can also arise. The basic flour used is from white wheat flour. 

It is a sure cause of high blood sugar unlike if whole grain wheat has been used. Thus diabetics and those likely to develop diabetes are warned to stay off this kind of product.

Furthermore, Agege bread is high in table salt and refined sugar. High intake of table salt predisposes to development of high blood pressure while high intake of refined sugar is a well-known cause of Diabetes. Thus wise adults should be wary of excessive consumption of Agege bread or else they are beautiful candidates of these silent killers ravaging our present day society.

3. Akara

Akara also known as bean cakes is a morsel filled with joy for many, especially when taken hot with pap, custard or bread. However, there are growing health concerns as regards the oil content of the delicacy as stated by Dooney’s kitchen.

In the process of its frying, each morsel absorbs loads of groundnut oil; which has a potential to be high in cholesterol and bad for the heart.

According to the site, a subsequent comment made reference to the amount of ground nut oil used in the preparation of akara, he said;

4. Groundnuts

Groundnuts are the love of our lives….oh we love it! Especially if we have to take it Ijebu garri on the rocks. However, just like the oil derivative, one has to be careful of the consumption rate. This because poor storage of the nuts can expose them to fungal attacks which in turns increases the concentration of aflatoxin in them (yeah, aflatoxins are by-products of fungal metabolism). High concentrations of this chemicals can affect the liver in the long run. Hence, the careful consumption.

Note that if you eat groundnuts and probably tastes funny it most likely may be infected by fungal and hence loaded with aflatoxins.

5. Beans

There is a general consensus in the health community is that beans are, in general, a “health” food and that when combined with rice, form a perfect protein for vegetarians.

Beans contain a lot of soluble fiber, protein, carbohydrates, folate and iron. They also contain Lectins, which are also present in high amounts in grains. Because of their protein content, beans (legumes) often get a primary role in the diet of vegetarians, though not without cost.

According to the site wellnessmama.com, lectins in legumes are an important protective measure for the bean plant, and a potentially harmful one for humans. An excerpt from wikipedia also states that;

Obviously, some lectins have more toxic effects than others, as evidenced by the example above, but all lectins have some effect on the body. This is the reason that grains, beans, and other lectin containing foods cannot be eaten raw.

Lectins are capable of harming the lining of the intestines, especially the microvilli. This happens when the lectins bind to the protein receptors in the intestinal lining, causing damage.

When the intestines are damaged, lectins and the foods that they bind to can pass through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. These sticky molecules can then wreak havoc in the bloodstream, causing diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Technically, this write-up isn’t saying you should stop eating these foods, but that you should make sure these foods are properly prepared, so you do not end up in the hospital.

Health is wealth

stay safe

5 months after, NBC yet to obey court order on Fanta, Sprite

Five months after a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, ordered the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to mandate the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) to include a written caution on bottles of its soft drinks containing benzoic acid and that such soft drinks should not be taken alongside Vitamin C, as they become poisonous if taken together, the company is yet to comply with the order.

Indications show that the Nigeria Bottling Company Plc, manufacturers of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks, has not complied with the court’s order mandating it to include a written warning label that the content of the bottles cannot be taken with Vitamin C.

The court had in March this year, ruled that high levels of benzoic acid and additives in Coca-Cola soft drinks could pose health risk to consumers when mixed with ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C.

Following the alleged health implications, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji of the Lagos High Court ordered NAFDAC to compel the NBC to include a written warning that the content of the bottles cannot be taken with Vitamin C.

Although legal hostility between a Lagos business man, Dr. Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo, NBC and NAFDAC is pending at the Court of Appeal in Lagos as Adebo and his company, Fijabi Adebo Holdings have filed a notice of appeal against the judgment of the lower court, the NBC and NAFDAC have also filed notices of appeal against the same judgment.

In the notice of appeal filed before the appellate court on behalf of Adebo by his lawyer, Mr. Abiodun Onidare, he is contending that the trial Judge failed to award damages and grant the reliefs that were prayed for by the petitioner against NBC by ignoring the facts and the evidence before the court that the NBC was liable to Adebo and other consumers of its products especially its Fanta and Sprite which were held to contain excessive benzoic acid and sunset yellow and declared unfit for human consumption by the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standard Department of Environment and Economy Directorate, United Kingdom.

The development was also corroborated by Coca Cola European Union, being the food regulatory bodies of the United Kingdom and Europe on the NBC’s Franchise consequently negligent in the duty of care to petitioner and other consumers.

But the NBC in its notice of appeal filed before the appellate court by its lawyer, Mr Tunde Busari, SAN, is urging the appellate court to set aside or strike out the portion of the judgment directing NAFDAC to mandate NBC to include a written caution on bottles of its soft drinks containing benzoic acid and that the said soft drinks should not be taken alongside Vitamin C, as same becomes poisonous if taken together, on the grounds that the said pronouncement and others were not sought for nor prayed for by the petitioner but nevertheless, the lower court proceeded to grant the said relief which were not sought by the said petitioner, thereby ordering the company to take a step detrimental to its business and well-being.

NAFDAC in its notice of appeal filed by Professor Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, is urging the appellate court to dismiss the amended statement of claim of the petitioner on the grounds that the award of damages of N2million is gratuitous as the petitioner did not claim the said amount or any sum of money from the company.

Meanwhile, Adebo and his firm in a counter affidavit in opposition to the application filed by both NBC and NAFDAC before the lower court to stay the execution of the judgment delivered by the court, is urging the court to dismiss the two applications on the grounds that the safety of lives of the people of Nigeria is of paramount consideration to the honourable court and hence the need to provide all possible equitable remedy to safeguard the public.

The Daily Times recalls that a Lagos High Court, Ikeja in a judgement delivered by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji ordered NAFDAC to forthwith mandate the NBC to include on all bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with vitamin C.

The court also declared that NAFDAC has failed the citizens of this great nation by its certification as satisfactory for human consumption, products in which in the United Kingdom failed sample test for human consumption and which become poisonous in the presence of Ascorbic Acid ordinarily known as Vitamin C, which can be freely taken by the unsuspecting public with the Fanta and Sprite. The court also awarded a cost of N2million against NAFDAC.

When the consignment of the soft drinks arrived in United Kingdom, fundamental health related matters were raised on the contents and composition of the Fanta and Sprite products by the United Kingdom Health Authorities, specifically the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council’s Trading Standard Department of Environment and Economy Directorate.

The findings of the said United Kingdom were also corroborated by the Coca-Cola European Union and the products were found to have excessive levels of “Sunset Yellow and Benzoic Acid “which are unsafe for human consumption.

Due to the irregularities and harmful content of the soft drinks which can cause cancer to the consumer, the claimants could not sell the Fanta and Sprite products resulting in appreciable losses, as they were certified unsuitable for consumption and were seized and destroyed by the United Kingdom health authorities.

The claimants alleged further that NAFDAC failed to carry out necessary tests to determine if the soft drinks were safe for human consumption.

The NBC also denied that it was negligent in the manufacturing of its products as alleged as stringent quality control procedures were adopted in its production process to ensure that its products are safe for consumption of the final user.

The bottling company further denied that the damages alleged by the claimants were occasioned by its negligence or any fault from the company as the level of the chemical components in its soft drinks is safe for consumption in Nigeria.

In her judgement, Justice Oyebanji said: “It is imperative to state that the knowledge of the NBC that the products were to be exported is immaterial to its being fit for human consumption. The court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the claimants that soft drinks manufactured by NBC ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of colour or creed.

“It is manifest that NAFDAC has been grossly irresponsible in its regulatory duties to the consumers of Fanta and Sprite manufactured by Nigeria bottling company. In my respective view, NAFDAC has failed the citizens of this great nation by its certification as satisfactory for human consumption, products which in the United Kingdom failed sample test for human consumption and which become poisonous in the presence of Ascorbic Acid ordinarily known as Vitamin C, which can be freely taken by the unsuspecting public with the company’s Fanta or Sprite. As earlier stated, the court is in absolute agreement with the learned counsel for the Claimants that consumable products ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of race, colour or creed.

“By its certification as satisfactory, Fanta and Sprite products manufactured by NBC without any written warning on the products that it cannot be taken with Vitamin C, NAFDAC would have by its grossly irresponsible and unacceptable action caused great harm to the health of unsuspecting public, the court in the light of the damming evidence before it showing that NAFDAC has failed to live up to expectation, cannot close its eyes to the grievous implication of allowing the status quo to continue as it is.

For the reasons herein adumbrated in this judgement, the court hereby orders as follows:

That NAFDAC shall forthwith mandate NBC to, within 90 days hereof, include on all the bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company, a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with Vitamin C.

But findings by The Daily Times showed that NBC has not complied with the said directive as none of the alleged soft drinks- Fanta and Sprite has such warning label on it. The court had ordered Coca Cola to comply not later than June, 2017.

There has been widespread public fear that Fanta and Sprite produced by NBC Nigeria failed the UK benzoic test and therefore harmful to consumers.

Though the matter is not over yet as NBC and NADFDAC have appealed the judgment respectively, one would have expected that since this has to do with human life, the beverage company would have obeyed the court order by now pending when the appeal is heard and determined.

The soft drinks giant said the claims were inaccurate and unsupported by science.

But Nigerians are worried why the products that we consume are considered substandard in Europe.

More so that the judge also said that soft drinks manufactured by NBC ought to be fit for human consumption irrespective of colour or creed.

However, both Benzoic Acid and Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) are ingredients approved by international food safety regulators and used in many food and beverage products around the world.

These ingredients are also used in combination in some products within levels which may differ from one country to another as approved by the respective national food and drug regulators in line with the range prescribed by CODEX, the joint intergovernmental body responsible for harmonizing international food standards.

But the concern is that benzoic acid according to European and American drug agencies, can form the carcinogen benzene when combined with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

Benzoic acid, according to findings, is a white, crystalline powder with a faint, non-offensive odour. Though it serves as preservative, if used excessively causes cancer and has been linked to asthma problems and increased levels of hyperactivity in children.

It is also used in the manufacture of a wide variety of products such as perfumes, dyes, topical medications and insect repellents.

Sunset yellow also used in the production of Coca-Cola products is said to be a dye that can be found in foods like

orange juice, ice cream, canned fish, cheese, jellies, soft drinks and many medicines. But some say it can also be dangerous for human health as it causes urticaria, rhinitis, allergies, hyperactivity, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting in some individuals.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has warned that Fanta and Sprite should not be used to take any medicine.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the two beverages, manufactured by NBC are safe for human consumption but cannot be taken with any drug.

The judgement was on a suit filed by a Lagos-based businessman, Emmanuel Adebo, and his company, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited, against NBC Plc and NAFDAC.

Barcelona agree £108.8m deal with Liverpool for Coutinho

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian put pressure on the Premier League club to let him leave, sources close to the Catalan club told ESPN Deportes’ Jordi Blanco.

Coutinho is set to join Barca for a base fee of €90 million (£81.6m), with bonuses that could bring the deal to €120m (£108.8m), as the Catalan club begin to spend the €222m they received from Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar last week.

According to ESPN, a delegation from Barcelona headed up by chief executive Oscar Grau travelled to Liverpool on Monday night to finalise the negotiation, sources said.

The Brazilian midfielder told Liverpool earlier in the day that he wanted to leave and join Barcelona, sources close to the player have told ESPN Brasil.

Liverpool reportedly rejected a an €80m (£72m) offer from Barcelona last month, while manager Jurgen Klopp said last week that the Catalan side can “save their energy” in their pursuit of Coutinho, and sources close to the club were still telling ESPN FC on Tuesday morning the 25-year-old was not for sale.

But sources have now told ESPN Brasil and ESPN Deportes the deal is set to go through after the player spoke to Klopp about his desire to leave.

Barca’s interest in Coutinho predates Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, though, and it’s unlikely he’s been signed as a direct replacement for his compatriot. Coutinho was a player the club felt could complement Neymar as Andres Iniesta grows older

Earlier this summer, there were reports that Neymar hoped to link up with Coutinho in Paris, but Coutinho preferred a move to Barca and could now find himself filling Neymar’s role as the left forward in Ernesto Valverde’s side, although the club eventually see him playing as a central midfielder.

Barcelona are still reported to be pursuing Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele, too, with multiple reports in Germany on Tuesday saying the Barcelona delegation were headed there next to work out another deal worth around €120m.

Coutinho’s move is being led by his agents Kia Joorabchian and Sam Kohansal, who also hope to negotiate a move for Paulinho to join Barca from Guangzhou Evergrande in the coming days.

Coutinho is already familiar with Barcelona, having spent time living in Barcelona while on loan at Espanyol from Inter in 2012, before eventually joining Liverpool from the Italian side for €10m the following year.

In four-and-a-half seasons at Anfield he has made 182 appearances and scored 42 goals, becoming a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s team. He will be reunited with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez at Barcelona.

Earlier, former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness said the Premier League club would struggle to keep hold of Coutinho as it is hard for a player to turn down Barcelona.

“I don’t think you can [keep him],” Souness told Sky Sports, which reported on Monday that Coutinho wanted to leave Liverpool. “The chance to play for a team that would suit his style of play, I don’t think he can say no to it, as hard as that is for Liverpool to accept.

“Ultimately if he wants to go he will go, as much as the club won’t want him to. He’s on a contract but if the big players want to go these days then they get their own way.”

Fellow former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher said he believed his old club may be able to hang on to Coutinho for now, but face a battle in keeping him away from Barca further down the line.

“I don’t think he will go. But he will want to go and wear that shirt,” he told Sky Sports. “Who wouldn’t want to go? It’s Barcelona. I’m sure whether it’s this summer or next summer Philippe Coutinho will want to wear that shirt and go to Barcelona. There’s nothing wrong with it. That’s football.”

9-month-old baby falls into fire as couple fight over infidelity

 

A 42-year-old driver, Igwe Dike was on Tuesday brought before a an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly beating his wife, Nkiru Egbo, with a plank which left her and their son seriously injured.

 

Dike was arraigned on two counts of assault and causing grievous bodily harm.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Simon Imhowa, had told the court that the incident happened on July 30, 2017, at the couple’s residence on Ferry Street, Mile 2, Lagos.

He said the offence contravened and punishable under sections 170 and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

He explained further that Dike assaulted his 35-year-old wife by beating her with the plank.

The Prosecutor said he chased her with a cutlass and in the process, their nine-month-old son, whom she was backing, fell into a fire, which burnt his face and right arm.

Narrating what happened to the court, Dike said he got married to Egbo in 2006 and the marriage was blessed with three children, and that they lived happily until he lost his job in 2016.

He said, “On the day of the incident, at about 12 .30 am, I came back to meet another man making love to my wife inside a vehicle.

“I immediately picked up a stick, opened the door of the vehicle and hit the man on the head with it.

“My wife took the stick from me and while we were dragging it, the man escaped.

“I later overpowered her and beat her mercilessly with the stick.

“She immediately ran towards where our baby was laid and picked him up. When she tried to run away with the baby, she fell and the baby fell into the fire.”

Dike added that his wife reported to the police which led to his arrest.

The magistrate, B.O. Osusanmi, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with one responsible surety in like sum, adding that evidence of tax payment and address of the surety must be verified.

The matter was adjourned till August 29 for trial.

Teenager escapes death as Badoo attacks Lagos church

There was pandemonium in Ikorodu, Lagos, in the early hours of yesterday, as another attack by  suspected Badoo cultists was recorded in Igbo Agbowa Area near Igbogbo.

The incident was said to have occurred after a vigil at a white garment church.

Sunday Sun learnt that the alleged perpetrator of the act quietly sneaked into one of the rooms where members were relaxing and hit a 14-year-old boy with a stone on the head.

The boy, who was said to have gone to sleep shortly before the attack was said to have been hit again in the mouth as he attempted to raise the alarm.

Sensing danger, the Badoo suspect was said to have quickly handed a white garment to his colleague to enable him mix with others in the ensuing confusion.  The accomplice was said to have quickly scaled the fence of the church even as neighbours mistook him for a member of the church.

Luck however ran out on the Badoo suspect identified as Ahmed as the injured boy was able to identify him among the crowd. Sunday Sun learnt that the dreadlocks he wore exposed him.  Prior to the incident, a member of the church who was said to have fallen into a trance had queried the presence and profession of the suspect.  He was said to have cited some professions but these were dismissed, as the member said the exact profession of the man would be exposed sooner than later. The victim is currently recuperating in hospital while the Badoo suspect has been handed over to the police.

A police source at the Ipakodo Police Station told Sunday Sun that Ahmed’s phone rang for close to two hours after his arrest.  Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Olarinde Famous-Cole promised to get back to the reporter on the incident but never did as at the time of filing the story.

[Music] Masterkraft x Wizkid – Odoo

Super music producer Masterkraft teams up with Starboy and rave of the moment – Wizkid, to bring us another fiery collaboration titled “Odoo“.

Still on the #PonPon trend, the tune is smooth as smooth can be. Add to your playlist now.

DOWNLOAD AUDIO HERE

‘Cristiano Ronaldo Unfortunate To Be Of The Same Generation As Messi’ – Jay Jay Okocha Claims.

Despite Real Madrid and Portugal star footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo being prime favorite to win this year’s FIFA’s Best awards and Ballon d’or – Super Eagles and African football legend, Jay Jay Okocha feels the Portuguese is unfortunate to be in the same generation as his rival, Lionel Messi.

 

Ronaldo’s heroics for Real Madrid this season, helping them win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles means he will most likely win his 5th Ballon D’or Award (leveling up with Messi) and his second FIFA Best award (surpassing Messi who has none), but former PSG and Bolton Wanderers star, Jay jay Okocha thinks differently.

In an interview with FIFA.com, Okocha said: “I have to be diplomatic here, especially as I’ve a lot of Portuguese friends, but I tend to lean towards Messi. He’s a more natural talent”

“Ronaldo is a fantastic player, one of the best I’ve ever seen, but he’s been a bit unfortunate to be of the same generation as Messi. Consequently, they have to share the limelight,” he added.

“Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football for a decade and, given the nature of football, at a certain point the baton will have to pass to someone else. “I think Neymar has a great chance of filling that role.”

Ritualists’ den uncovered in Lagos, 2 burnt alive

Lagoswas yesterday in a frenzy, following the discovery of a den of ritualists in a tunnel at Obadeyi Bus Stop, Ijaiye-Ojokoro, along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

Two suspected ritualists smoked out from the tunnel were burnt alive, while two others were arrested by policemen and soldiers.

 

Daily Sun gathered that at about 6am yesterday, some staff of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), responsible for sweeping the road, heard a woman shouting for help in a canal leading to the tunnel.

Concerned about the woman’s plight, the LAWMA staff alerted passersby, who attempted to enter the tunnel but could, as it was dark. The police and members of the vigilance group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), were alerted.

An eyewitness, Wasiu Abiodun, told Daily Sun:  “When we looked through the carnal, we saw pants and clothes believed to be  from victims of ritual killings. There is a tunnel that links the two sides of the expressway.

“We called the police, who arrived in company of soldiers attached to OP MESA. When the security agencies came, some of us entered the tunnel, and heard footsteps of people running further  into the tunnel under the expressway. We were able to catch four people in there.

“Two of them were of set ablaze. The other two were rescued from the crowd by the policemen and soldiers, who took them away. 

“While the crowd was beating the two suspects, who were later set ablaze, one of them confessed that they were ritualists, who abducted people, killed them and used their body parts for rituals.”

He revealed that this confession infuriated the crowd, which descended on the suspects and set them, ablaze.

A member of  the OPC, Jasmine, said the  police were afraid to enter the tunnel, and boasted: “We entered, the tunnel was dark. We saw some charms and fetish objects; we also saw people’s clothes, but we did not see the woman who was crying for help.

“One of the  suspects who was set ablaze told us that  they were 28 in number. Four  suspects have been found. The police and Army took away one suspect each alive.  So, we still have 24 in the tunnel. We will see to their end; if it is going to take a week, we will remain here until we fish them out.”

The DPO of Meiran Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police Okoi A. Akpama, confirmed that a distress call was made to his station yesterday morning, prompting the dispatch of policemen to the scene.

He said before policemen arrived, one of the ritualists had been lynched and set ablaze.

He disclosed that the first detachment of policemen, seeing the mood of the crowd, called for reinforcement.

Daily Sun gathered that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has detailed the canine section to deploy sniffer dogs to the tunnel.

A senior police officer said two suspects had been lynched before the police arrived.

“We rescued one other, as he was about being lynched. There was a mammoth crowd at the scene, which caused gridlock on two sides of the expressway. The crowd chanted: ‘All we are saying, the ritualists must be fished out and their captives set free.’”

He said the police authorities had ordered some personnel to remain at the scene till the canal was fully accessed.

A resident of Odushola Avenue, Oduwole Adebayo, said he entered the tunnel with others, revealing: “There is no contradiction about it. The people seen and burnt were rituals. What will people be doing in a canal and a tunnel? I pass through the place daily. Why won’t I rejoice that they were arrested? It could have been me.

“If ritualists had been operating there without people and security agencies discovering it, then nobody is safe.”

Video: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Manchester United [UEFA Super Cup] Highlights 2017

Casemiro and Isco gave Real Madrid a 2-1 UEFA Super Cup win over Manchester United, despite Romelu Lukaku’s debut goal. 

 

Real Madrid claimed the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in Skopje on Tuesday.

Goals from Casemiro and Isco secured a fully-deserved triumph for the Champions League holders, who have now won the trophy three times since 2014.

Romelu Lukaku halved the deficit on his competitive debut, but the Europa League winners looked well short of matching Madrid for much of the encounter in a hot and humid Philip II Arena, where drinks breaks were required.

United beat Madrid on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the International Champions Cup last month, but they were second best for the majority against Zinedine Zidane’s side, for whom Gareth Bale started and Cristiano Ronaldo made a late cameo appearance as a substitute.

Jose Mourinho handed first competitive starts to Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof, but it looked unlikely that he would celebrate a win over his old club from the moment Casemiro broke the deadlock after 24 minutes.

Isco’s superb second put Madrid in control in the second half and, although Lukaku gave United some hope of a comeback, Zidane’s side held firm to win their sixth trophy since the Frenchman took charge last January.

DOWNLOAD VIDEO HERE

Buhari Promises To Resign If He Doesn’t Recover Soon

President Muhammad Buhari may resign if he does not recover from his ailment soon, sources have reported.

According to Independent, a Presidency source has disclosed that President Muhammad Buhari will pass the baton to his deputy, Yemi Osinbajo, if he does not recover from his ailment soon.

The President has been in the United Kingdom for the better part of the year treating an undisclosed ailment, much to the chagrin of a large part of the population, including a good number of his supporters.

Independent reports the source to have said, “The president is not desperate to cling on to power if his health cannot carry him. I can tell you authoritatively that he has given a timeline that if he doesn’t recover fully on a specific date, he will file in his resignation letter and if you know President Buhari very well, he meant what he said.

“That is why Nigerians who love the president and his efforts in restoring Nigeria’s lost glory should continue to pray for his quick recovery. It will be to our disservice if he dies as some people are wishing him”, he said.

Independent also reported another source as stating that before the President embarked on his May trip to the United Kingdom, he had wanted to dispatch a resignation letter to the National Assembly but a retired general from Taraba state prevailed on him not to do so.

Chief Ebenezer Babatope, former Minister of Transport and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said there was no need for the President to resign as the leading opposition party will prefer if APC brings him to re-contest election in 2019, so as to guarantee their victory at the polls.

“I don’t think we should compound Nigeria’s problem by asking for the president’s resignation. First of all, it is not of his own making that he is sick.  All of us must have been sick at one time or the other.  If we want to help Nigeria succeed, let us pray for him to recover and come back to do his job.

“We in the PDP are not bothered by his resignation at all. We are even praying that he should come back and re-contest in 2019 because we know that we are going to beat him. But it doesn’t serve anybody’s interest to ask him to resign. Those doing so are just wasting their time”, he said to Independent.

WAEC cancels certificates issued 28 years ago, 150 others over exam malpractice

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has cancelled 151 certificates already issued to candidates that sat for both school and private exams who were later found to have engaged in examination malpractice.

Also, the council has taken possession of 29 certificates (both school and private candidates exam) returned by born again Christians who sought for restitution.

The National Examinations Committee (NEC) of WAEC took the decision recently at its 62nd meeting held in Lagos to cancel and collect back certificates of the candidates found wanting years after the examinations were conducted and certificates issued.

Among the cancelled certificates, include two issued 28 years ago (1989) and 27 years ago (1990) by WAEC while the ones issued in 2012 and 2013 are the current certificates.

A breakdown of the cancelled certificates showed that the highest number, 14, was issued in 2001 and 2002, 13 each in 1999 and 2000.

The statistics further revealed that WAEC cancelled 12 certificates in 2003, 10 in 2006, eight in 1988, seven each in 2004, 2007 and 2010, five each in 1993, 1995, 2009, 2012 and 2013. Others are four in 1994 and 2008, three each in 1996 and 2011, two each in 1997 and 2005 as well as one each in 1989, 1990 and 1992.

Barcelona agree £108.8m deal with Liverpool for Coutinho

Barcelona have reached an agreement with Liverpool to sign Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian put pressure on the Premier League club to let him leave, sources close to the Catalan club told ESPN Deportes’ Jordi Blanco.

Coutinho is set to join Barca for a base fee of €90 million (£81.6m), with bonuses that could bring the deal to €120m (£108.8m), as the Catalan club begin to spend the €222m they received from Paris Saint-Germain for Neymar last week.

According to ESPN, a delegation from Barcelona headed up by chief executive Oscar Grau travelled to Liverpool on Monday night to finalise the negotiation, sources said.

The Brazilian midfielder told Liverpool earlier in the day that he wanted to leave and join Barcelona, sources close to the player have told ESPN Brasil.

Liverpool reportedly rejected a an €80m (£72m) offer from Barcelona last month, while manager Jurgen Klopp said last week that the Catalan side can “save their energy” in their pursuit of Coutinho, and sources close to the club were still telling ESPN FC on Tuesday morning the 25-year-old was not for sale.

But sources have now told ESPN Brasil and ESPN Deportes the deal is set to go through after the player spoke to Klopp about his desire to leave.

Barca’s interest in Coutinho predates Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, though, and it’s unlikely he’s been signed as a direct replacement for his compatriot. Coutinho was a player the club felt could complement Neymar as Andres Iniesta grows older

Earlier this summer, there were reports that Neymar hoped to link up with Coutinho in Paris, but Coutinho preferred a move to Barca and could now find himself filling Neymar’s role as the left forward in Ernesto Valverde’s side, although the club eventually see him playing as a central midfielder.

Barcelona are still reported to be pursuing Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele, too, with multiple reports in Germany on Tuesday saying the Barcelona delegation were headed there next to work out another deal worth around €120m.

Coutinho’s move is being led by his agents Kia Joorabchian and Sam Kohansal, who also hope to negotiate a move for Paulinho to join Barca from Guangzhou Evergrande in the coming days.

Coutinho is already familiar with Barcelona, having spent time living in Barcelona while on loan at Espanyol from Inter in 2012, before eventually joining Liverpool from the Italian side for €10m the following year.

In four-and-a-half seasons at Anfield he has made 182 appearances and scored 42 goals, becoming a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s team. He will be reunited with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez at Barcelona.

Earlier, former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness said the Premier League club would struggle to keep hold of Coutinho as it is hard for a player to turn down Barcelona.

“I don’t think you can [keep him],” Souness told Sky Sports, which reported on Monday that Coutinho wanted to leave Liverpool. “The chance to play for a team that would suit his style of play, I don’t think he can say no to it, as hard as that is for Liverpool to accept.

“Ultimately if he wants to go he will go, as much as the club won’t want him to. He’s on a contract but if the big players want to go these days then they get their own way.”

Fellow former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher said he believed his old club may be able to hang on to Coutinho for now, but face a battle in keeping him away from Barca further down the line.

“I don’t think he will go. But he will want to go and wear that shirt,” he told Sky Sports. “Who wouldn’t want to go? It’s Barcelona. I’m sure whether it’s this summer or next summer Philippe Coutinho will want to wear that shirt and go to Barcelona. There’s nothing wrong with it. That’s football.”