Is Boko Haram Leader, Abubakar Shekau, Really Dead?

Early this week, Cameroonian army told Nigeria that they have successfully killed Abubakar Shekau, who the leader/spokesman of the terrorist group Boko Haram.

The army claimed they killed Shekau during a battle between Cameroon’s troops and the insurgents in the border region of Gambaru, and went ahead to post a photograph purported to show Shekau’s corpse on social media.

However, after investigating Cameroon's claim, Nigerian security authorities says there are no official reports confirming whether Shekau is really dead.

"Don't Write United Off" - Rooney

Despite a frustrating start to the Premier League this season, Wayne Rooney has warned that no one should write off Manchester United as he believes the team will turn out to be successful under the leadership of Louis van Gaal.

United were defeated 5-3 by Championship side Leicester City, in a premier League clash, at the King Power Stadium last Sunday

Ogenyi Onazi Signs Contract Extension

Nigerian international Ogenyi Eddy Onazi, Monday, has penned a two-year contract extension that would see him earn more at Lazio.

Onazi moved to Italy from a local club, My People FC, in Nigeria, and his new contract with the Serie A club will see him remain at the side until 2018.

The scrupulous midfielder took to twitter to express his delight, and appreciate necessary parties.

“I say a big thank you to God, my family, my team and my fans as I sign an extension to my contract,” Onazi tweeted.

Always Make A Difference

We are all gifted with a unique set of skills and abilities. With those abilities we can make extra-ordinary things happen in the world around us, or not.

It is completely up to you whether you want your life to make a difference and what difference you want your life to make.

Many people set lofty goals for their lives and want to be remembered as visionaries, they want to change and save the world.

Football Facts You Need To Know

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), which was founded on May 21, 1904 at 229 Saint Honore in Paris, remains the ruling body of the highly entertaining game all over the world. It's current president  is a Swiss named Sepp Blatter (1998 - Till date)

Here are some other interesting moments and achievements which have been documented in the history of this popular sport:

World Cup Historical Moments...

- The first World Cup, which was hosted by Uruguay in 1930, was the only one to take place in a single city Montevideo - and only four teams participated.

- Korean republic in the team which has conceded the most goals in one tournament - 16 goals in 1954 

Brazil Squad: Fabinho in, Luiz out

New Brazil coach Dunga, who is known as a disciplinarian, will be without injured scrupulous defender David Luiz when his Brazil side faces Ecuador.

The Paris Saint Germain defender injured his left knee in the 1-0 win over Colombia on Friday, and Brazil have called up 20-year-old full back Fabinho for Tuesday's friendly against Ecuador, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Sunday.

"My Mission is not Over" - Sepp Blatter

Incumbent president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Sepp Blatter, Monday confirmed he will stand for re-election as Fifa president next year.

The 78-year-old Blatter, who hails from Switzerland, was first elected as FIFA president in 1998; and has contributed immensely to the growth of world football.

The Believer's Standing and His State

Before delving to the core of this message, I must stress the need to raise your mindset to think like Him (1 Peter 4:1-2). I should also point that the standing and the state of a Christian are two different facets of his life.

As Christians, our standing can determine our state but our state cannot determine our standing. Our standing is permanent and unchangeable, while our state is temporal and changeable. Many times, people judge us according to our state... and not by our standing.

Our standing connotes divinity as it is what Jesus has done for us, while our state requires humanity as it is what we do for ourselves.
"We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Cor 3:18 (HCSB)

Who do you see in the mirror when you look? That same person is the glory of the Lord.That is your standing.

Don't measure your life by your state but measure your life by your standing in Christ. For instance; "...the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 - is your standing in Christ. But what if you are diagnosed of Arthritis or even cancer? Don't worry, calm down, for it will come to pass.

Let your standing determine your faith, don't allow your state determine what you believe in. Your standing must change your state because the Precious Holy Spirit is our agent of change.

Your standing says: "you are the head and not the tail". But you've just been fired from work... You are broke at the moment... You can't even feed... Just don't worry, believe in your standing and allow it to rule your faith.

You have a standing that will change your state. HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Migraines or any manner of sickness isn't your standing, but your state - which is temporal and highly changeable. You must believe in your standing and daily give thanks to God for your standing in Him.

God wants us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Cor 4:18)

Accordingly, we must not look at the things which are seen - that is, our state - but at the things which are not seen, which is our standing in Christ Jesus.

Your standing is permanent and unchangeable. No man can change it. So, you must believe, think, and act in accordance to your standing in Christ Jesus; and not by what you see.


Remember, by your standing, you are the glory of God.

Prayer: 
Lord, thank you for my standing in Christ Jesus. (Amen)

"Giwa Get Out Of NFF Seat"

Nigeria's House of Representatives on Thursday ordered the controversially elected president of the Nigerian Football Association, Chris Giwa, to quit the offices of the football federation as soon as possible, SuperSport reports.

Giwa, who is the owner of a Glo Premier League club Giwa FC, was factionally elected as the NFF president - some few days after former president, Aminu Maigari, and  some of his executives were arrested by the State Security Service.

Tributes To Late Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili

Dora Nkem Akunyili (14 July, 1954 - 7th June, 2014) served Nigeria as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Minister of Information and Communications.

Prof. Akunyili was exceptional in all her services to Nigeria, and she was part of the very few leaders who hoped to see a "re-branded Nigeria".

Always thinking about the good of Nigeria, Dora defiled her health condition, at the 2014 National Conference, to give Nigeria her last words.

Wayne Rooney Named England Captain

Recently appointed Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, have also been named the new captain of England on Thursday.

Succeeding Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, the 28-year-old will lead the Three Lions in a friendly against Norway on September 3 and their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland on September 8.

Coach Roy Hodgson made the announcement at a media conference at Wembley as he unveiled his squad for the forthcoming fixtures.

"I gave it a lot of thought but Wayne is an obvious choice," Hodgson told reporters.

"He deserves it - his commitment to the cause, his experience. He has captained England in the past and, of course, he has that responsibility at Manchester United now.

"I've had a long conversation with him and he's prepared to accept the pressures that the England captaincy brings. It's important that the player wants to take on that enormous responsibility."

UEFA President Not Interested in Blatter's Position

UEFA president, Michel Platini, has revealed that he will not be running for the Fifa presidency during next year's election.

Platini has heavily criticised Sepp Blatter on more than one occasion, also stating that the Swiss was "finished"; hence, no longer the right man to lead Fifa.

Chris Giwa... The New NFF President

Chairman of Nigeria Professional League club Giwa FC, Christopher Giwa as emerged the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), folloeing an election at the NFF headquarters in Abuja this week.

Giwa polled 27 votes to defeat his fellow contestant, former vice president - Mike Umeh, who got two votes in an election where 29 out of 44 members participated in the voting exercise.

Intoducing Liverpool's New Boy: Mario Balotelli...

Newly signed Liverpool striker, Mario Balotelli, is no doubt one of the best in his role in modern football. But how complicated is the striker?

This is the second time, in his career, Balotelli would leave Milan for north-west England after his "long-term" move to Liverpool FC was confirmed.

Only 24, Balotelli has been privileged to play under some of the game's most celebrated coaches.

Samuel Eto'o Signs For Everton...

Everton have signed striker Samuel Eto'o on a two-year-deal after he was released by Chelsea last season. 

The 33-year-old Cameroon international was also sought for by AC Milan, West Ham and Liverpool - before the Anfield club landed Mario Balotelli.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes Eto'o still has a point to prove in the English league as he is still hungry for success, despite winning three Champions Leagues, four titles and seven cups.

Mourinho Wants Torres At Chelsea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has claimed he would like to see striker Fernando Torres remain at Stamford Bridge this season.

The 30-year-old Spaniard was left out of the Blues' two Premier League matches - as Mourinho prefers returning legend Drogba, 36, to the former Liverpool man.

Torres is currently sought for by top Serie A clubs - AC Milan, AS Roma and Inter Milan - but the self acclaimed 'Happy One' wants to retain the services of his unsettled striker.

Chelsea's Life President Dies at 90

Chelsea Football Club have paid tribute to its Life President, Lord Richard Attenborough, after the 90-year-old cinema great - and life-long Blues supporter - died on Sunday.

Fondly called 'Lord A', Attenborough was Life President of the Stamford Bridge side, and helped establish Chelsea's reputation as London's glamour club with his high profile support.

The Oscar winning director also helped Chelsea to hang on to their Stamford Bridge home when it was threatened by property developers.

FIFA U20 World Cup: Oshoala wins Golden Ball

Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala was voted the Most Valuable Player/Best Player at the 2014 FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada, and awarded the Golden Ball award and Golden Boot.

Oshoala was indeed prolific in the just concluded tournament - as she netted seven goals and provided two assists.

However, the Falconets lost 0-1 to their German counterparts in the Finals of the World Cup played in Montreal, Canada on Monday.

Power, Message of The Church - Reinhard Bonnke

The Church today has organization, brains, and scholars. It must have.

Nearly two billion name themselves as Christians which gives the Church enormous prestige. But the whole vast complex would be an empty shell
without the power and presence of God. It is not a mere way of life we take to the world. We preach Christ and Him crucified. Our message is not the Ten Commandments, or a higher social order. IT IS JESUS. The need of the world is Jesus. He is the way of Life. It is not a matter of correct living, but back to the ABC – just as people need people, all people need JESUS.

God bless you.

REINHARD BONNKE

President Jonathan's Speech On The Submission of 2014 National Conference Report

Here is the speech delivered by President Goodluck Jonathan at the submission of the 2014 National Conference Report.
 

PROTOCOLS
 

1. Mr Chairman, very distinguished delegates, it is with all gladness that I address you this day. After nearly five months endeavour to find the appropriate verb for the noun of our country within the syntax of human experience, you have brought to a grateful Nation, the report of the 2014 National Conference.

2. I want to congratulate the Chairman and his able team, the Delegates, all Nigerians and indeed everyone who has contributed one way or the other to the successful convocation and conclusion of the Conference.

3. I also congratulate the Presidential Advisory Committee which developed the framework for the Conference after travelling around the country. We cannot afford to take for granted the efforts and commitment that the delegates and the leaders put into the Conference to make it a success. The patriotic zeal was evident in the inputs of the delegates into the dialogue and how these have now formed the basis of the report.

Jamie Carragher Questions Balotelli - Liverpool Deal

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Liverpool transfer target, Mario Balotelli, would be an automatic starter at Anfield.

Balotelli's representatives are said to be in talks with the Anfield club after a £16m fee was agreed with Milan; but with the Daniel Sturridge and newly signed Rickie Lambert , Carragher asks if Rodgers can accommodate another striker upfront.

US donates bomb detectors to Nigeria Police

The United States of America donated high-tech bomb detector robots to the Nigeria Police Force this week.

The West African country have experienced a series of bomb blasts in recent time, and this is thought to be orchestrated by the dreadful Boko Haram group.

According to reports, the U.S.Ambassador, James Entwistle, presented the robots when he visited the Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba.

Barcelona Misused Fabregas - Mourinho

After his impressive Chelsea debut against Burnley on Monday, delighted José Mourinho has claimed Cesc Fábregas was misused by Barcelona during his time with the Catalans.
The £30m summer signing shone on his first Premier League start for Chelsea as Burnley were beaten 3-1 at Turf Moor with goals from his fellow debutant Diego Costa, Andre Schürrle and Branislav Ivanovic.

Fábregas was involved in all three Chelsea goals, including an exquisite pass for Schürrle’s second, and the self acclaimed 'Special One', who insists the midfielder would give his team a new dimension this season, claims Barca did not use the midfield talisman to the best of his abilities.

Big Boss Deal Still Uncertain As NFF Lingers...

According to reports from Supersport, the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF] and the 2013 AFCON winning coach, Stephen Keshi, are yet to conclude negotiations over a proposed contract for the 'Big Boss'.

Keshi's representative and brother, Emmanuel Ado, informed supersport.com that the football federation has only sent his client a copy of the contract proposal.

Ado, however, disclosed that negotiation with the NFF will hold in Abuja on Wednesday.

Chelsea Boss hails 'Bargain Buy' Costa

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes newly signed striker Diego Costa will prove a bargain buy, following his impressive display in the preseason clash, and his clinical double in the 2-0 friendly win over Real Sociedad.

The Blues splashed a staggering £32 million to lure the 25-year-old talisman Atletico Madrid and the Portuguese manager is convinced that the scrupulous attacker will justify his hefty price-tag by the end of the season.

Mourinho said: "Diego is a team player, he works a lot, he is not just about goals. He is about defensive work, his mentality, his ambition.

"This is why we didn't buy a striker in the last transfer window - we were waiting for him.

"He looks very adapted to his team-mates and the style of play.

"I won't say he is adapted to the Premier League yet because it is a very difficult job to be a striker in this country, but hopefully he does well.