Viewers Discretion: See Photos Of Davido’s Bodyguards Injuries + Statement From HKN

 

I brought you gist early this morning concerning the brawl that happened in a club in Lagos between HKN leader Davido’s bodyguard and the DJ of the club.

Davido’s team have released official pictures of his injured bodyguard, TJ, who was allegedly stabbed twice, in the neck and the hand, by the DJ of the club and they also released an official statement on the incident.

Read statement below: -

Djokovic loses trust in anti-doping programme

Tennis | More Tennis

Novak Djokovic says he has lost all trust in the anti-doping programme in tennis and fears he could become a victim of its "negligence" after fellow Serb Victor Troicki failed to have his doping ban overturned on Tuesday.
Djokovic beat Roger Federer in his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals but his joy was overshadowed by news that Troicki's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against an 18-month ban handed out by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in July had only been partly successful.
Troicki, who was banned after failing to provide a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters in April, had his sanction reduced to 12 months by CAS, ruling him out until next July.
After a few questions about Tuesday's Group B victory, the world No 2 was asked for his thoughts on Troicki and produced a stinging monologue lasting several minutes. "First of all, Viktor is a very good friend of mine," an emotional Djokovic told a late-night news conference at London's O2 Arena. "It's very bad news that we got for him, and for me, for all of us who are close to him.
"But I think it's just not bad news for him, it proves again that this system of Wada and anti-doping agency does not work.
"I don't have trust in them anymore. I don't have trust in what's going on.
"I don't know if tomorrow the representative, the DCOs (doping control officer) who are representatives of Wada there at the tournaments, because of their unprofessionalism, because of their negligence, because of their inability to explain the rules in a proper way, I don't know if they're going to misplace the test that I have or anything worse than that."

Novak douses Roger's fire, Nadal crushes Ferrer

Tennis | ATP

Roger Federer showed flashes of his best but Novak Djokovic exposed the Swiss maestro's fading powers with a three-set victory at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday.
World No 2 Djokovic, at 26 six years Federer's junior, briefly looked in trouble midway through an absorbing Group B opener but eventually surged to a 6-4 6-7(2) 6-2 win in front of another sell-out crowd at the O2 Arena.
Djokovic's win, his 18th in a row since losing to Rafa Nadal in the US Open final, was his second in four days over Federer and kept alive his slender hopes of toppling the Spaniard from the top of the world rankings.
In the day's Group A match, Nadal crushed compatriot David Ferrer 6-3 6-2 and will seal the year-end No 1 ranking for the third time in his stellar career if he beats Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka on Wednesday.
Three days after losing to Ferrer in the Paris Masters semifinals, Nadal resumed his customary dominance over his compatriot with a victory that will not live long in the memory.
"I played with a little bit more calm than the other day," Nadal, who is trying to win the only major prize to elude him, told reporters after his first match at the venue since 2011 after he missed last year through injury.
"Last year was a big miss for me. Even if I was not able to play my best a lot of times here, I really have great feelings every time I have the chance to play in this stadium.

Nadal was gifted half the points he won in unforced errors by the unusually profligate Ferrer, who admitted it had been a "bad day".
Djokovic, on the other hand, was made to work hard against old adversary Federer.
With the pre-match music blasting around the steep stands and the players emerging on to a darkened court accompanied by smoke and lights the stage seemed set for some fireworks on the day Britain marks Guy Fawkes night.

DRC Rebels Ready To Disarm

 

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s M23 rebel group has declared an end to its 20-month rebellion, saying it is ready to disarm and demobilise troops and pursue a political solution to end the crisis in the east of the country.
The M23 declaration was issued hours after government forces drove the rebel fighters out of their last two strongholds at around 3am local time (00:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Analyst call the rebels’ declaration a smart move to ensure they don’t lose totally.

ASUU Strike May End In Days

 

Strong indications have emerged that the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, may end in the next one week, following a 13-hour meeting than ran from Monday afternoon into the early hours of Tuesday, between the union and the federal government.
The meeting which was led by President Goodluck Jonathan, had the leadership of ASUU, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, all present, with sources saying after the meeting that both the Federal Government and leaders of ASUU had shifted grounds and leaders of ASUU would meet with its National Executive Council to brief members on the outcome of the meeting and then take necessary action.
“Both the Federal Government and the leadership of ASUU are now on the same page. Both parties have shifted grounds. The leadership of ASUU will now meet with its appropriate organ to brief its members and take the necessary action.

Fallen tanker causes gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

 

A fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side at Wawa inter-section along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday caused gridlock as motorists spent long hours driving through the area.

It was gathered that the tanker was headed towards Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondents that the tanker fell when the driver, who was allegedly on top speed, sighted another car coming towards him. It was said that the tanker driver tried to avoid ramming into the car and subsequently fell.

One of the eyewitnesses, Mohammed Ogoja said, “The driver was trying to avoid a car that was coming towards his vehicle; in the process, the tanker swerve and the body fall on the road. The engine compartment of the tanker then got detached from the body.”

A police officer from Wawa police post, who craved anonymity because he was not permitted to talk to the press, confirmed this.

He explained that the accident occurred at 12.30pm, adding that since the tanker was laden with fuel, the content began to spill on the ground.

He said the body of the trailer got detached from the engine compartment, which made the driver to escape unhurt.

No plan to join Real Madrid – Suarez

Luis Suarez has played down speculation linking him with a January transfer to Real Madrid by insisting he is happy at Liverpool.

The Uruguay international was involved in a protracted saga regarding his future in the close-season as he agitated for a move to a club in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Arsenal had two bids rejected for the striker, while La Liga giants Real were also said to be interested in his services.

Rumours persist that Real will launch a move for Suarez in the next transfer window as manager Carlo Ancelotti seeks to boost his side’s firepower further following the world-record capture of Gareth Bale in September.

However, the 26-year-old – who has scored six goals in five Premier League appearances since returning from suspension – has indicated he is satisfied with life on Merseyside as Liverpool bid to return to the Champions League.

“I know nothing of any interest from Real Madrid, and I am happy with Liverpool,” Suarez told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890.

“In the team we are all really excited, and looking forward to a good season. We have been at the top so far and we are still aiming at the top.

“We believe in the team and we believe we can have a really good season – an exciting season.

“The Premier League is the best league there is – the stadiums, the atmosphere and the fans make football here so entertaining.”

Banks to identify customers by fingerprints next year

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee on Tuesday sealed a biometric solution pact with a German Firm, Dermalog, for the development of a payment system that would be driven by fingerprints.

The move, according to the Governor, CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, will help to revolutionise the country’s payment system.

For instance, unlike the current practice where different instruments are used as means of identification, bank customers will from 2014 be identified through their fingerprints.

Sanusi, while speaking at the signing of the agreement, which was held at the central bank’s headquarters in Abuja, noted that the system would become operational on February 14, 2014.

The move followed the recommendation of a sub-committee chaired by the Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

The committee, made up of the Group Managing Directors of Access Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Skye Bank Plc, had shortlisted Dermalog as the company to develop a database for the banking sector.

Emefiele said, “The company that was awarded the contract has been given a very ambitious deadline, and before the contract was awarded, it agreed that it would deliver in 90 days.

“The first phase of the project will connect the central data to the banks as well as the central bank and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System. We believe that the company will do so, and by February 14, 2014, we are all very optimistic and looking forward for a gift from the banking industry.

Nigeria zoom into U-17 World Cup final

 

Nigerian players celebrate after beating Sweden 3-0 during the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 semi-final match at Al Rashid Stadium ... on Wednesday.

Nigeria whipped Sweden 3-0 in Dubai on Tuesday to reach the final game of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Sweden coach, Roland Larsson told the media shortly after the match that his team was outplayed. He then, in a subtle way, backed Nigeria for the trophy on Friday.

He said, “We lost to the champions.”

Nigeria took a 1-0 lead into the break through Taiwo Awoniyi at the 21st minute but had to wait late into the second half for the second goal. Samuel Okon and Chidera Ezeh scored the second and third goals respectively. And the third was scored within two minutes after the second as the Swedes struggled to regain their rhythm. It was a change of situation as Nigeria had rallied thrice to pull a 3-3 with the same team in their earlier Group F clash on October 22.

But it was not all smooth sailing for Nigeria even after hitting the opening goal. In the 76th minute, Sweden almost levelled after Gentrit Citaku supplied a cross that was met with precision and power by Carlos Strandberg only for Alampasu in goal for Nigeria to deny the substitute with a fine reflex save from point blank range.

FG to give varsities N1.1tn in five years

 

Details of the  Monday/ Tuesday marathon meeting  between President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of Academic Staff Union  of  Universities have begun to emerge.

 gathered on Tuesday evening that a key component of the agreement reached by the parties was  that the Federal Government  would  inject N1.1tn into public universities in the next five yea

A reliable source, who made this known, also hinted that the strike would be called off anytime next week.

He  said the government team which was led by President Goodluck Jonathan would release   N220bn yearly into the sector beginning from 2014.

The source added, “The meeting should be the longest that we have ever had on this crisis but I can tell you that both parties were frank all through the discussions.

“The parties also showed commitment towards ending the crisis. The President in particular showed that he was serious about ending the strike and that was why he offered to release over N1tn to the universities in the next five years.

“The money will be released on a yearly basis at N220bn per annum beginning from 2014. For the outgoing year, the  government will only release N100bn and this has been processed.”

He said that the government, in order to show its commitment to a fresh pact, accepted that “the fund(N1.1tn) should   domiciled at the Central Bank  of Nigeria”

“The  money will be released on a quarterly basis to the universities. So, there won’t be any problem about funding the deal,” the source said.

The National Universities Commission and the Trade Union Congress, according to him, will    be the  joint guarantors  of  the  agreement while the Minister of Education will  be the implementation officer.

Conte changes tune after Real draw

Football | Champions League

Juventus coach Antonio Conte, who last season complained that his club did not have the financial resources to compete with Europe's elite, changed his tune after Tuesday's 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid.
The 44-year-old said that money was not everything after his team more than held their own against the big-spending Spaniards and added that they could compete with the best - provided they could leap from the bottom of Group B to second place in their final two games.
The 100 million euros ($134.75 million) Real spent on Gareth Bale alone was three times more than Juve's entire outlay of just over 31.7 million euros during the summer transfer window. Defender Angelo Ogbonno was Juve's biggest purchase at around 13 million euros.
"The transfer dealings weren't particularly evident," Conte told reporters. "We showed that what happens on the pitch counts more than spending power.
"We came away from this game stronger and the team deserves a high rating," he added.
"We played a perfect first half in terms of our organisation, intensity and quality of play. It was inevitable the tempo would drop following the restart and when it happens against champions like Real's you're made to pay.

PSG need striker depth

Football | Champions League

 

 

The absence of Edinson Cavani in Tuesday's 1-1 home draw against Anderlecht suggested that Paris St Germain may need more striker reinforcements if they are to be real contenders in the Champions League. The Uruguay striker was ruled out with a thigh injury and Zlatan Ibrahimovic was required to salvage a point for the weary Ligue 1 champions, who extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 32 games.
"It's a good wake-up call," coach Laurent Blanc told reporters.
Big-spending PSG are highly likely to qualify for the last 16 and a home draw against Olympiakos Piraeus in three weeks would see them through as Group C winners.
They have 10 points from four games and lead Olympiakos by three points with Benfica in third place on four. Anderlecht are bottom on one point.
But with Cavani in the starting line up on Tuesday, PSG might already be through to the knockout stage.
His absence was felt as Lucas, whose pace can be devastating, still lacks inspiration and Ezequiel Lavezzi has lost his scoring touch.
"He (Cavani) is a player who scored goals. We have players who do that, Zlatan and Edi, but tonight he was not there," said Blanc.
"He brings a lot of depth. He has an interesting role, especially against teams who regroup. All great forwards in Europe score goals. Others must improve in that area," he added in a veiled reference to Lavezzi and Lucas.
SPEED BUMP
PSG lacked their usual sharpness up front and sometimes looked passive in the midfield, allowing their opponents to build up nicely as it was the case in the 68th minute when Demy de Zeeuw scored from Sacha Kljestan's back pass.
"The players are very tired," Blanc admitted, adding he did not think his team failed to show character.

Barca missing Messi mojo before Milan clash

Football | Champions League

Lionel Messi has set the bar so high for himself that when he does not score for a few games it prompts an outburst of speculation and head-scratching about what might be ailing the Argentine World Player of the Year.
That is the situation Messi's club Barcelona find themselves in as they prepare to host AC Milan in Champions League Group H on Wednesday.
At home to Espanyol on Friday, the 26-year-old failed to score for a fourth successive La Liga match in which he played the full 90 minutes, his most barren run in almost six years.
Messi's season was disrupted by a minor muscle strain at the end of September and since his return he has also failed to score against Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Real Madrid.
That said, he did net the equaliser in last month's 1-1 Champions League draw at Milan, his fourth goal of the competition in two outings this season following his hat-trick against Ajax Amsterdam in September.

Bayern need to wake up

Football | Germany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayern Munich reached the Champions League knockout stage with two games to spare and a record-equalling win but last season's treble winners know they will need to shake off their recent sleepy starts to repeat the success. The Bavarians took a long time to get going against Viktoria Plzen in their 1-0 win on Tuesday and had to wait for more than an hour for Mario Mandzukic's winner against a team they had crushed 5-0 in Munich last month.
Bayern, who became the first German team to win the treble last season, are top of their Champions League Group D with four wins from four games. Manchester City are second on nine with CSKA Moscow in third place on three points.
Their win in Plzen meant Bayern posted their best group result after four matches with 12 points and 12 goals scored and just one conceded.