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14:19:00 ,
Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid a win over Borussia Dortmund as the Portugal star reached another milestone.


Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 400th Real Madrid appearance with two goals as the holders beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in their second Champions League group game.

The 32-year-old netted his 410th and 411th efforts for the club in his 150th UEFA club match after Gareth Bale’s sensational opener had put Madrid in front in what proved to be a thrilling encounter at Signal Iduna Park.

Madrid came into the match having never won away from home against BVB, but Bale’s spectacular volley put them on course for the victory after only 18 minutes.


It was an end-to-end clash that featured chances for either side before Ronaldo celebrated his latest milestone with a composed finish from Bale’s cross.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Dortmund hope of a recovery but Zinedine Zidane’s men made certain of two wins from two in the defence of their trophy as Ronaldo blasted home in the closing stages.

Despite Peter Bosz’s call for caution in Monday’s pre-game news conference, Dortmund pressed Madrid high up the pitch from the kick-off and twice could have fallen behind from early counter-attacks.

First, Dani Carvajal raced into the box down the right only to shoot straight at Roman Burki, before Lukasz Piszczek just denied Bale a tap-in after Ronaldo had surged clear down the same flank.

Madrid were perhaps fortunate to escape a penalty in the 14th minute, though, with Keylor Navas deflecting the ball onto the raised hand of Sergio Ramos after Maximilian Philipp had turned the ball goalwards.

But with 18 minutes played, Dortmund’s wayward defence was punished in sumptuous style by Bale. Carvajal found space 30 yards from goal and clipped a fine pass into the path of the Wales star, who sent a sublime volley into the top-right corner, leaving Burki stranded.

Madrid should have doubled their lead before the break, Ronaldo twice firing wide and captain Ramos missing a free header from six yards out, but it needed a vital interception from Raphael Varane to deny Aubameyang an open goal moments after half-time.

But Dortmund’s slack defending was punished in ruthless fashion four minutes after the restart. Toni Kroos split the back four with a fine throughball to Bale, and his low cross from the left was steered home left-footed by Ronaldo from 12 yards out.

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14:18:00 ,
England striker Harry Kane scored with his right foot, left foot and his head to record his sixth treble in the calendar year.


Harry Kane continued his red-hot form in front of goal with a hat-trick as an understrength Tottenham recorded a 3-0 win away at APOEL on Tuesday.

The in-form England international’s treble – his ninth for the club overall and sixth in 2017 – took his tally to 11 for club and country in September, an astonishing run after struggling through a dry August.

Kane predictably provided the finish after being set through by Toby Alderweireld in the 39th minute to break the deadlock in the Group H fixture in Cyprus.

Moussa Sissoko assisted the second after the break, although the striker still had plenty to do when receiving a cut-back pass on the edge of the area, before a Kieran Trippier cross allowed Kane to head home another in the 67th minute.

Despite being without suspended duo Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, as well as Christian Eriksen – left at home due to illness – and the injured Mousa Dembele, the Premier League club found a way to record just a third away win in their last 12 European outings.

Mauricio Pochettino’s patched-up XI dominated possession but found their hosts a tough nut to crack until the ever-reliable Kane scored in the 39th minute.

APOEL came close on three occasions to breaking the deadlock in the first half, starting with Igor de Camargo rattling the bar with a firm, left-footed drive that left Hugo Lloris rooted to the spot.

Centre-back Carlao was then guilty of sending a free header from a corner wide of the right post, while Lloris narrowly escaped the embarrassment of seeing his attempted clearance hit team-mate Davinson Sanchez and roll into an unguarded net after he’d ventured out of his area to deal with the danger.

The reprieve at one end was quickly followed by Tottenham’s opening goal at the other.

After the visitors had endlessly knocked the ball around without penetrating, Alderweireld produced a flat pass into the right channel to release Kane. Having breached a broken offside trap and, with just goalkeeper Boy Waterman to beat, he coolly slotted the chance home with his left foot.

His second arrived after an extended spell of APOEL pressure; Sissoko cleverly picked out his team-mate with a pass from the right and, despite being pressurised by defenders, Kane controlled the ball instantly before striking a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The frontman completed the perfect hat-trick when timing his run into the penalty area to meet Trippier’s teasing centre, the resulting header giving Waterman no chance.

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14:17:00 ,
Sergio Aguero missed a penalty and the chance to equal the club’s all-time goalscoring record in a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.


Kevin De Bruyne scored a spectacular goal to open his account for the season and help Manchester City earn a hard-fought 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, while Sergio Aguero missed a penalty.

The star midfielder has been a creative force during City’s terrific start to the campaign and he showed his eye for goal has not left him when he rattled the ball into the top-right corner of the net early in the second half following a tricky first 45 minutes for his side.

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14:16:00 ,
Liverpool settled for a second successive Champions League draw to kick off their campaign as their clash with Spartak Moscow finished 1-1.


Philippe Coutinho’s brilliance was not enough to secure Liverpool’s first Champions League win since 2014 as Spartak Moscow earned a 1-1 draw.

Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated for much of Tuesday’s Group E contest at the Otkrytiye Arena, but had to settle for the point earned by Coutinho cancelling out Fernando’s effort.

Liverpool entered the fixture with added urgency following a disappointing home draw against Sevilla to open their campaign.

But they got off to a nightmare start as Fernando put the limited hosts ahead with a curling free-kick.

The visitors showed great resolve over the remainder of the first half and entered the break level thanks to Coutinho’s second goal in as many games.

Yet Spartak tightened up in the second period and Liverpool, back in the competition for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, failed to find a winner.

Klopp’s team selection suggested he felt three points were a necessity, with an attacking line-up featuring a front four of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Coutinho.

For all those were expected to post the biggest threat, young full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was first to go close when volleying just wide following a one-two with Salah.

The visitors stepped on the gas thereafter as Mane sent in a cross for Firmino, whose fine header was parried away by Artyom Rebrov.

Despite their dominance, Klopp’s men fell behind midway through the half through a superb free-kick from Fernando.

The midfielder was afforded his chance when slack play from Emre Can preceded a rash challenge from Coutinho.

And he made Liverpool pay, curling home a delicious 20-yard effort – although Loris Karius, selected ahead of Simon Mignolet, will feel he should have done better.

They were behind for just seven minutes, though, as Coutinho atoned for his error by curling home following a fine one-two with Mane.

Picking up where they left off, Klopp’s team threatened quickly after the break when the lively Coutinho’s free-kick forced Rebrov into action.

But that proved the only real chance during the opening exchanges of the half as Spartak largely nullified their opponents’ threat.

They were dealt a blow in the 68th minute, however, as Rebrov was forced off after colliding with Salah.

Yet his departure did not noticeably alter the pattern of the game, with Klopp sending on Daniel Sturridge and Georginio Wijnaldum in search of inspiration.

Alexander-Arnold continued to look as likely as anybody, capping another fine run by hammering narrowly over.

Even better openings fell Sturridge’s way before the end, but the England man failed to control when six yards out and volleyed over from similar range soon after.

And the final confirmation it would not be Liverpool’s night came six minutes into injury time when Rebrov’s replacement, Alexander Selikhov, made a sublime one-handed save to keep out Salah’s bullet header.

Liverpool could have gone ahead just before the break, only for a thrilling four-on-two counter-attack to be thwarted by Mane drifting offside.

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14:14:00
Zinedine Zidane is looking to sign Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain, with the Real Madrid boss reportedly an admirer of the German international.”


It’s been a slow start to the season for Real who already trail rivals Barcelona in the league, and the club will look to add to their attacking options in the new year.

Spanish publication Don Balon reports Draxler will be available following PSG’s summer transfer splash.

Julian Draxler is also desperate to be an integral part of the Germany squad at the 2018 World Cup squad but a lack of chances at PSG this term may hinder his chances.

Draxler only arrived at PSG in January and his contract runs until 2021

Only last month Germany coach Joachim Low insisted Draxler wasn’t leaving PSG.

He said: “I know for a fact that Paris don’t want to sell him. They are convinced of his outstanding qualities.”

Since signing for PSG from Wolfsburg in January, Draxler has made 17 appearances and scored four goals.
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14:14:00 ,
Napoli made light work of Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, taking time out to pay tribute to injured star Arkadiusz Milik.


Arkadiusz Milik’s Napoli team-mates dedicated goals to the injured star as they got off the mark in the Champions League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Feyenoord on Tuesday.

While Milik was not involved after suffering a cruel blow against SPAL in Serie A – his second ruptured cruciate ligament in a year – the Poland international was not far from hearts and minds in Naples.

Lorenzo Insigne’s opener saw the goalscorer hunt down his team-mate’s shirt and Dries Mertens, after scoring again at the start of the second half, looked to the camera to display an “M” in recognition of the forward.

Both sides had lost their opening matches in Group F, but Napoli’s reverse at Shakhtar Donetsk had been rather tighter than Feyenoord’s home humbling at the hands of Manchester City.

And there was again a gulf between the Dutch side and their opponents, even if the score-line still showed only Insigne’s seventh-minute strike at half-time.

Mertens’ 50th Napoli goal at the San Paolo soon came, though, and Jose Callejon added a third after Pepe Reina kept out a Jens Toornstra penalty at the other end, before a consolation for Feyenoord and Sofyan Amrabat arrived in stoppage time.

Mertens was back in the Napoli side after Sarri’s brave – and costly – decision to rest his main man against Shakhtar, but it was Insigne who made the early impact, taking possession in the middle of the pitch and bursting forward to drive a fine effort into the bottom-left corner.

And Insigne, intending to show his support for the injured Milik, ran to the bench to initially celebrate with a shirt bearing Piotr Zielinski’s name – courtesy of the midfielder – before correcting the error with a grin.

Feyenoord’s response was laboured and, after a lull in play, they were fortunate not to fall two behind as Brad Jones took a heavy touch and scrambled to knock the ball away from the waiting Insigne.

Jones shakily intervened again with an untidy parry from Insigne’s strike, but the goalkeeper was quickly back in action to make a far more convincing double-save from Mertens and Jorginho.

Marek Hamsik and Insigne each shot wide as Napoli ended the first half firmly on top.

The visitors held out for just four minutes of the second half before Mertens’ goal arrived, though, with the forward given time and space to coolly slide a finish under Jones before again giving a nod to Milik.

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14:12:00
Former England Women’s head coach Mark Sampson lost his job because of a relationship with a player during his time at Bristol Academy, according to Skysports


Mark Sampson, cleared twice of any wrongdoing after allegations of discrimination and racism made by striker Eni Aluko, was sacked on September 20 after information came to light about his conduct during his time at Bristol prior to his England appointment.

While the FA has stated that no laws had been broken, it is understood Sampson’s dismissal was because of a six-month relationship with a player who was over the age of 18.

Mark Sampson was with Bristol for four years, leading the club to two FA Women’s Cup finals and finishing runners-up in the 2013 FA WSL season before joining the FA in December 2013.
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14:11:00
Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested rumours of Marco Verratti leaving Paris Saint-Germain were more to do with him securing a new deal.


“He only wanted a better deal with PSG,” Ancelotti is quoted as saying by Le Figaro. “I know him well. Many players want to leave their clubs when the transfer window is open. But I do not know if many want it just to simply improve their contracts. I do not like these things, this kind of behavior.”

Carlo Ancelotti does know Marco Verratti well, as he was the manager in charge at the Parc des Princes when PSG signed him. The legendary coach will return to his former club on Wednesday, when these two giants of European football meet in the UEFA Champions League.

Speculation was rife about the 24-year-old’s future during the summer. In July, the player released an apology in the aftermath of comments made by his former agent Donato Di Campli suggesting he wanted to leave the French giants.

“I am very happy here, we got back to training now, I am thrilled to be back here and start working again,” he told the club’s Twitter account. “I know the club trusts me and I really want to apologise once again.”
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14:10:00
Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho says new signing Victor Lindelof will have “more opportunities to play” this season.


However, the Portuguese has also claimed that the defender – who only joined the club this summer – still needs ‘time and no pressure for his evolution’.

Victor Lindelof has struggled for a regular run of games since then, but did play in the Champions League win against Basel and the Carabao Cup victory over Burton.

And, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash against CSKA Moscow, Mourinho insists he will be patient with the defender.

“Victor will be given time and no pressure for his evolution,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

“He has a very specific position on the pitch and I was saying he needs time, he needs time and he will be given time but also opportunities.

“Because just time and no opportunities to play then the evolution gets slower.

“He needs time, no pressure, but also he needs oppprtunities. The fact that he played against Basel and then against Burton then in the future he’s going to have more opportunities to play.

“He will prove step by step that he is ready to play.”
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14:26:00



The incessant killings of Nigerians by South African police authorities seem to be getting out of hand.

Another Nigerian man identified as Clement Ofoma from Obosi in Anambra state has been killed.
According to Star Boy Nino Brown who shared the sad news, the young man was beaten to death earlier this month by Metro police in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Nigerian man beaten to death in South Africa
Angry Nigerians took to the streets of Johannesburg as they stormed the police station in protest to the young man’s death. May his soul rest in peace.
See more photos:-


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14:19:00 ,
                                  



Rapper and singer Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, known popularly as Skales has shared a post on how Olamide gave him money to shoot his first video ”Shake Body” when he was super broke.

Even though the duo had agreed to keep the good deed a secret, Skales could no longer hide how grateful he is to the ”WO” crooner as he let the cat out of the bag.
Read his tweets:




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13:57:00




A mouthwatering clash awaits for neutrals when Atletico Madrid host Chelsea for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture.
Atleti were held to a goal-less draw by Roma on matchday 1. While Chelsea celebrated their return to Champions League with a 6-0 win against debutants Qarabag FK.
The La Liga team is unbeaten in all competitions this season with 4 wins and 3 draws from their 7 matches so far. The start to the campaign are quite slow with the team drawing 3 of their first four games. However, things have picked up lately with 3 wins coming in a row.
Yet, there is no drop in home performance as they won their two matches so far at the Estadio Metropolitano by keeping clean sheets.
Since the surprise defeat to Burnley in the Premier League opener, Chelsea are unbeaten in 7 games in all competitions, collecting 6 wins in the process. Away from home, the Blue won three on the bounce netting 8 goals in total.
Team News
Augusto Fernandez is the only injury doubt for Simeone with a muscle issue. Right back Sime Vrsaljko has returned from the knee injury he suffered in March.
Danny Drinkwater is the only absentee for Antonio Conte as the England midfielder is out with a calf injury until the beginning of October.
Bet Tips
FT – Draw for 3.40 odds.
Under 2.5 goals for 1.65 odds.
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19:25:00 , ,





The Chief Imam of Lagos, Haruna Akinola, has been confirmed dead, he passed away on Sunday after a brief illness.

According to reports, Mr. Akinola died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, a source said.

Reacting to the cleric’s passing, the President of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, in Lagos State, Saheed Ashafa, described him as a worthy leader.

Mr. Ashafa urged other Islamic leaders to emulate the deceased, saying that his promotion of unity was outstanding.

“He was indeed an epitome of unity for the Nigerian Muslims and a worthy father for all. He would be remembered for keeping Muslims together in the state and beyond.

“Although, the vacuum he left behind may appear difficult to fill but his legacy while alive would create a source of guidance for the Muslim community. May Allah accept his as one of the righteous,” Mr. Ashafa said.
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19:24:00




The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has commended the leadership of the Nigerian Senate as well as the caucus of South-eastern senators for their position on the proscription of the group.
A statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, argued that “mass execution of members of IPOB would have commenced under the cover of Operation Python Dance II, if not for the quick intervention of the Senate President and his colleagues from the South-East”.
The group pledged to co-operate with any commission of inquiry or panel set up by the Senate to ascertain what truly transpired before, during and after the Operation Python Dance II.
The statement reads; “That South-East lawmakers refused to be cowed into submission to tag IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, a terrorist and unlawful organisation should be applauded by all lovers of freedom around the world. It represents the triumph of freedom of speech and association over tyranny, brute force and dictatorial tendencies.

“Having demonstrated this rare courage in the face of overwhelming tyranny and oppression, we, the IPOB members would gladly welcome any fact finding mission the lawmakers may consider necessary under the circumstance.
“Without prejudicing the outcome of this or any other Senate inquiry, we see this as a welcome opportunity to demonstrate to all and sundry that IPOB was never, can never and will never bear arms against anybody or state. This is a golden opportunity for Nigerian lawmakers to ascertain the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
“We strongly urge the National Assembly to investigate the activities of IPOB thoroughly because we have nothing to fear. They should also look into the recent killings of unarmed civilian populations in Afaraukwu Umuahia and Aba in the on-going military occupation of Biafraland.
“We are also calling on the United Nation UN, European Union EU, African Union AU, ECOWAS, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, USA, Israel, Russia, Britain, Germany, France, and other relevant human rights to probe IPOB and thoroughly investigate the on-going killings of unarmed and innocent civilians”.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel, the brother of Nnamdi Kanu has
revealed IPOB’s next line of action.
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19:22:00 ,





There is always a day for the owner despite the thief having all days to himself, that was the story of a man who was arrested  on Sunday inside the kitchen of the Rev. Fr. Francis Effiong, the Parish Priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, located at the University of Calabar (Unical), Cross River State.

The suspect was arrested after stealing meat from the refrigerator of the priest, who had the left his house by 9 a.m for a mass. The suspect, who claims to be a prison warden, was apprehended just as he was leaving the kitchen with bags of meat in both hands.

According to a source: “Before today’s incident, many other items such as washing machines, television sets, cookers, and so on have been missing from the house. He lives in the boys’ quarters just directly behind the priest’s kitchen”, he said.
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19:17:00




Supporters of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) pushed their case further yesterday at the Senate, with startling facts on the sector.
Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East) described the opposition to the 10 per cent host community fund by mostly northern senators as “misplaced”.
Enang, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, said that those opposed to the fund should know that over 83 per cent of oil blocks are owned by northerners.
But he did not give the number of oil blocks Nigeria has.
Senator David Mark, who seemed to have been shocked by what Enang said, said the Akwa Ibom lawmaker should not be distracted (some senators were grumbling) because he was making an important point.Mark asked Enang whether he could substantiate his claim.
Enang promptly pulled out a document from his folder and reeled out oil blocs and their owners.
He said he did not intend to divide the country but to guide those who wanted to contribute to the debate to be truly informed.
He listed northerners who own oil blocks to include Alhaji Mai Deribe, Borno State and owner of Cavendish Petroleum, which operates OML 110 with an average of about N4billion monthly.
He also listed Seplat/Platform Petroleum, operators of the ASUOKPU/UMUTU Marginal Field with Mallam (Prince) Sanusi Lamido, Kano , as a major shareholder and director.
South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO) established by General T. Y. Danjuma, Taraba State , who is also chairman of Eni Nigeria Limited.
SAPETRO partnered with Total Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI) and Brasoil Oil Services Company Nigeria Limited to become operators of the OPL 246.
AMNI International Petroleum and Development Company is owned by Alhaji (Colonel) Sani Bello of Kontangora , Niger State.
“They are operators of OML 112 and OML 117,” he said.
He said that a former Petroleum Minister and former OPEC Chairman, Rilwanu Lukman, another northerner manages AMNI oil blocks “with very key interest in the NNPC/Vitol trading deal.”
He said that Oriental Energy Resources Limited, a company owned by Alhaji Indimi, runs three oil blocks – OML 115, the Oldwok field and the Ebok field.
He said that Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s Express Petroleum and Gas Limited, operates OML 108.
Enang said that OML 113 allocated to Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Limited is owned by Alhaji W.I. Folawiyo. Alhaji Saleh Mohammed Gambo, North East Petroleum Limited, is the holder of the OPL 215 Licence.

North East Petroleum was awarded blocs OPL 276 and OPL 283 and closing thereupon a Joint Venture Agreement with Centrica Resources Nigeria Limited and CCC Oil and Gas.
He said that INTEL is owned by former Vice President Atiku, the late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Ado Bayero. It has substantial stakes in Nigeria ’s oil exploration industry both in Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe .
He said that Mike Adenuga’s Conoil is the oldest indigenous oil exploration company with six blocks. OPL 291 was awarded to Starcrest Energy Nigeria Limited, owned by Emeka Offor, which was sold to Addax Petroleum.
Enang urged the Senate to cause the immediate revocation of all oil blocks licences and their redistribution, in accordance with the Federal Character Principle.
He said: “My submission is that when you look at the distribution of those who own oil blocks and the amount of money that comes from the different oil blocks to the Federation Account and you see the owners of these oil blocks, you will agree with me that there is inequity in the distribution of oil blocks.
“The oil is produced in the Niger Delta yet it is the people of the Northeast and the Northwest and a little of the Northcentral, almost nothing of the Southwest and the Southeast, that are the persons owning and controlling these oil blocks.
“Almost nothing for the Southsouth, Niger Delta oil producing areas.
“They are quarreling with the area that takes just 13 per cent when you are producing the entire 100 per cent, you give some to the Federation Account and they give only 13 per cent of what you give and, of course, it is whatever you declared that you have produced. It is actually produced by you.
“I did not want to introduce something that is divisive.
“It is not intended to divide the country, it is intended to say ‘look, let us be realistic’.
“What some of the oil wells and the owners of the oil wells produce in a month and take as profit is sometimes more than what two or three states receive from the Federation Account.”
Enang noted that “when a group of people are richer than a state and then it is produced by you, then there is so much opposition that even the people who suffer the effect of the oil production should not be give host communities’ fund; and we have explained that the host communities fund is not only for the oil producing; it is for any of the communities that hosts oil infrastructure, which includes oil pipelines, refineries, gas pipelines and anything that is capable of causing danger.”
“If we had the host communities fund, the danger that we have been having in Arepo in Ogun State, the area would have benefited from the host communities fund.”
Enag said that other areas, such as Kaduna and some other states, will benefit from it.
He went on: “If you are producing and declaring only what you like and only the 10 per cent now being provided for the host communities and the 13 per cent which is after deducting everything, that cannot be in the interest of the country.
“What I am asking now is that oil blocs in the whole country should be revoked and redistributed according to Federal Character Principle.
“We are not saying that we in the Southsouth should have all or the Southeast should have all or the Southwest should have all. 

“In fact, if there are 18 oil blocs or 36 oil blocks, we don’t mind that you give us at least four, Northeast four, Southeast four, Northwest four.
“At least, let there be equity, but then there should be the principle of who owns it and then you give us more.
“But at this time, we don’t even have it. The 13 per cent is what we are even suffering to sustain.”
Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South) praised the maturity of Senators in considering the bill.
He urged the Senate to look at the “absolute and sweeping powers” granted the President in Section 191 of the bill.
The Section, he said, gives the President absolute and unqualified powers to grant petroleum licences to whoever he pleases.
Lanlehin prayed the Senate to use the opportunity of the bill to design a template that would grow the economy.
Senator Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East) said he was supporting the bill with mixed feelings.
He noted that the trend of the debate seemed to indicate that senators were more concerned about how to share the cake and not how to bake it.
Kaka said the power granted the minister of petroleum in the bill should be reconsidered “so that we don’t give too much power to the minister.”
The lawmaker who insisted that the bill should be finetuned, said certain percentage of earnings should be set aside to fix electricity, agriculture and other infrastructure.
Senator Mohammed Goje (Gombe Central) said before the debate, he was completely against the bill.
He said the trend of the debate showed that the Senate was poised to do justice to the bill by removing offensive sections.
To him, it seems a consensus is being built around certain sections of the bill.
He noted that most contributors agreed that the power of the minister should be reduced, such that the minister will just be like any other minister.
Goje said: “We should not create a super minister.”
He said that definite provision should be made for frontier exploration, especially adequate funding.
He opposed 10 per cent host community fund.
Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North East) described the bill as very important and long overdue.
Gemade said an adage says: “Wherever you find oil, corruption creeps in and wherever you find diamond war emerges.”
He said the adage had been proved to be true.
Gemade said the bill contained good and bad provisions. He listed the good sections to include development of the gas sector, increase in promotion of local content and the unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The bad sections, he said, include the minister’s economic power.
On the host community fund, Gemade said efforts should be made to ensure that it does not degenerate to very poor management of resources as it is, according to him, in the Niger Delta Development Commission, 13 per cent derivation and others.
On the frontier exploration, he said more effort should be geared towards discovering oil in other places.
Senator Akin Odunsi ( Ogun West) described the bill as the most important legislation before the National Assembly.
Odunsi noted that the bill becomes even more important when it is recognised that the country runs a mono economy based on oil.
The lawmaker cautioned against undue sentiment in the consideration of the bill.
He agreed that the bill was not perfect but posited that it could be fine-tuned to engender development.
Senator Abdulahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) said he was giving the bill “a reserved support”.
Adamu expressed worry about the absence of transparency and accountability in the oil sector.
He said the bill appears to contradict the Constitution (as amended), especially when it is recognised that oil and gas as well as other minerals are in the Exclusive List and under the control of the Federal Government.
The lawmaker cautioned about the unbundling of the NNPC in order not to put up the corporation for outright purchase by wealthy Nigerians.
On the host community fund, Adamu said the provision would create the fourth tier of government.
To Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East), the bill will be counter productive in its present form. He demanded the definition of host community.
Ashafa said pipelines burst at times not because of vandalisation but because of the integrity of the pipes.
Senator Ayogu Eze said his support for the bill stemmed from the realization that the oil sector should be reformed.
Eze highlighted issues of details in the bill, which, he said, should be addressed at the committee and public hearing levels.
It was obvious that most northern Senators were not comfortable with.
What a revelation on the inequalities/lopsidedness in our flawed federalism, where monkey dey work, baboon dey chop!!! How will Northern Senators support, when they are the beneficiaries of the flawed status-quo. We are now in George Orwell,s Animal Farm, where some animals are more equal than others CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY!°
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