England and Manchester United's all time highest goalscorer Wayne Rooney has opened up about what he regards as the worst feeling he's had in his football career of almost two decades.

Wayne Rooney in the 2006 World Cup clashed with then Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo during the quarter final game between England and Portugal.

Rooney's World Cup participation in the 2006 Germany World Cup ended in controversial style as Ronaldo played a role in the dismissal of Wayne Rooney who was red-carded for a second half stamp on Ricardo Carvalho.

Portugal star, Ronaldo encouraged the referee to send off his Manchester United teammate Rooney and then was caught on camera winking as Rooney was sent off. England subsequently lost on penalties after a scoreless draw, as Ronaldo converted the decisive kick for a 3-1 success.

But Rooney says he immediately forgave Ronaldo even though that was the worst feeling he has had on his career.

“There was a clear foul, the former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho was pulling and pushing me and Petit came in from the other side,” Rooney wrote in his column for The Times.

“Referee Horacio Elizondo did nothing and I planted my foot down on Carvalho — it one of those moments when you’re not thinking.

 “I knew it was a red card and back in the dressing room I watched the rest of the game on a little TV, thinking: 'If we win this, I’m suspended for a World Cup semi-final and final and if we lose it’s my fault.' It was the worst, weirdest feeling I’ve had in football.

“I had my phone in my hand and I was getting all these messages about Ronaldo. Of course, when he ran over to ask Elizondo to send me off I pushed him away. In that moment I couldn’t believe what he was doing. But sitting in that dressing room gave me time to calm down and think.

“I put myself in Ronaldo’s shoes. Would I do the same? Probably. Would I be in the ref’s face to make sure he got sent off? If he deserved the red, if it would help us win — yes, no question. I’d do it tomorrow. I thought: ‘Actually, I tried to get him booked in the first half for diving.’ And the wink thing, I didn’t see anything in that at all. It was nothing.

“So I calmed down. I went over to him afterwards in the tunnel. I felt it was important to speak to him while it was still fresh and to do it face to face. He gave me a look as if to say sorry but by then I had my United head on. I said I’ve no issues with you. Enjoy your tournament and good luck. I’ll see you in a few weeks — and let’s go try and win the league.”

The Chadian army recorded a huge success in their fight against Boko Haram after the President of the country, Iddris Deby led soldiers in a war against the insurgents.

President Deby led the offensive against Boko Haram, in retaliation over an ambush in which over 90 Chadian soldiers were killed by the terrorists. He described it as the worst attack ever on the country’s military, and vowed to ensure Boko Haram is crushed around the Lake Chad region.

Nigerian soldiers spotted hailing soldiers from Chad as their President lead them to war against Boko Haram, see stash of arms recovered (videos/photos)

The fight took place around Lake Chad and led to the arrest of a top Boko Haram commander, as well as recovery of weapons from the insurgents' warehouse.

Some Nigerian soliders were spotted hailing the soldiers while being led to war by their President. A Nigerian soldier was heard saying "these are Chadian soldiers, see their tanks. They are going to advance".

A 36 year old man has died of Coronavirus in Lagos state.

His death was announced by the Lagos Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, on Twitter today April 5.

According to Professor Abayomi, the deceased passed away on Saturday April 4 in a private facility. His tweet reads

We lost a #COVID19 patient ; a 36 year old Nigerian, male who died in a private facility on 4th April, 2020. Total number of #COVID19 patients who have died are now 2

One case was evacuated bringing total evacuated to 2 Let's #StaySafe #ForAGreaterLagos

This is the fifth death case in Nigeria.

Former minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has advised Nigeria and other African countries to quickly pressure the G7 and G20 for debt-relief in order to deal with the economic and health issues arising from the novel Coronavirus.

The economic expert who played a huge role in getting Nigeria an $18 billion debt-relief as minister of finance, stated a debt relief will aid in getting resources to tackle the spread of Coronavirus.

Okonjo-Iweala averred that the money owed by some African countries can be channeled towards dealing with Coronavirus.

She told BBC;

“You know we have several sources, you’ve got the African Development Bank, which has just floated a social bond for $3 billion that will be available to the countries on the continent,” she said.

“You have the World Bank that has set aside $14 billion of which they’ve already committed $2 billion to 25 countries — and 11 of them are Africans. Many of our countries need to move, to take advantage of this, and they are willing to commit $150 billion dollars over the next 15 months.

“The IMF has put forward $50 billion as an emergency fund, and already 80 countries have applied for this, many of them African.

“It also has a $1 billion grant fund; catastrophe containment and relief trust, which they can approach. Let me mention my own organisation, GAVI, where I am chair of the board. We have made immediately available $200 million to $300 million grant.

“Once these monies become available, if the countries get debt relief, that means that the monies they would have been paying to service the debt that they’ve taken from other countries; bilateral debts or from institutions, this monies can now be used to procure food and supplied and support the livelihood of people in the rural and urban area.

“Government can use these resources as part of an intervention fund to help people directly, and I think this is what they should be looking to do. But we need to move quickly, the debt relief we haven’t got it yet.

“There needs to be a great deal of pressure on the G7, G20 to come forward with this measure and then countries need to start availing themselves of the already available resources, and then pressure for the debt relief.”

Nigeria has recorded 20 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 210.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known via its Twitter handle on Friday.

NCDC also announced that the country recorded two deaths in Lagos and Edo States.

The NCDC tweeted, “Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Nigeria; 11 in Lagos, three in the FCT, three in Edo, two in Osun and one in Ondo.

“Two new deaths have been recorded in Lagos and Edo States.

“As of 10:30 pm on the 3rd of April, there are 210 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.”

Currently Lagos has 109 cases; FCT/Abuja- 41; Osun- 22; Oyo- eight; Akwa Ibom- five; Ogun – four; Edo – seven; Kaduna – four; Bauchi- three; Enugu and Ekiti- two cases each, while Ondo, Rivers and Benue have one case respectively.

According to media reports in Italy, football star Cristiano Ronaldo has been told by Juventus chiefs that he could be sold this summer for £62.5m in order for the club to balance it's financial books due to the financial losses accrued from the Coronavirus pandemic in Italy.

Italy is the worst hit country in the world, with official figures of Coronavirus deaths totaling 11,500 and the resultant effects of Covid-1 has driven the Italian economy into shambles.

In order to deal with their financial losses, Juventus Football club has offered starman Ronald three options in order to save the club from extinction.

Ronaldo - who has 53 goals in 75 Juve appearances may be sold when the transfer window reopens or the club could offer him another option that could see Ronaldo's bosses at Juve try and convince him to take a dramatic pay cut from 2022 onwards when he will be 37.

According to Italian media reports, the other option being reviewed by Juve could be to let Ronaldo's deal run its course and opt against offering him a new deal by 2022.

Ronaldo currently earns £510,000 per week at Juventus and agreed alongside his teammates to forego four months salary to help the club financially during the Coronavirus pandemic.

If Ronaldo opts to leave Juve rather than accept a wage cut, he won't be short of suitors even at age 35... With Manchester United, PSG, Manchester City and Chelsea known admirers.

The Commissioner for Health in Lagos state, Professor Akin Abayomi, says Eti-Osa Local Government Area has the highest number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the state.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos today, the Commissioner said of the 98 confirmed cases of the viral disease in Lagos, 48 were recorded in Eti-Osa, 24 in Ikeja, 11 in Lagos Mainland while Alimosho, Agege and Ikorodu have one case respectively.

According to the Commissioner, out of the 98 confirmed cases in the state, 74 are still active cases, while 24 have recovered and have been discharged. He revealed that most of the patients fell between 30 and 59 years and that two patients were over 60 years and two others were over 70 years.

The Commissioner further disclosed that 64 per cent of the patients were males, 36 per cent females. He added that 68 per cent of the cases were imported in the first four weeks of confirmation of the index case in the state

According to him, 91 per cent of the cases recorded are Nigerian nationalities and that since the closure of the air and land borders, imported cases had reduced. He said the state has started experiencing local transmission of the virus.

On the medical condition of the patients, the Commissioner said most of them were experiencing a mild to moderate degree of the illness and that two of the patients were presently on oxygen. The commissioner, said that if the oxygen does not work for them, they would change it to ventilators.

He disclosed that there are about 20 ventilators in the state hospitals, and another 20 in the private hospitals which the state can access if the need arises. He added that the state has three molecular laboratories for COVID-19 test, and was conducting between 200 and 300 COVID-19 tests daily.

More than 1,002,159 people have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease worldwide, according to figures collected by researchers from Johns Hopkins University.

The death toll from the deadly virus has also surpassed 51,000 while about 208,000 patients have recovered.

Italy remains the country worst affected by the outbreak, with 13,915 deaths, followed by Spain, with 10,003 deaths.

The US accounts for most cases in the world with 234,000 people infected and 5,316 deaths recorded so far.

Four more Coronavirus patients have been discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital in Lagos.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced this on his verified Instagram page on Friday afternoon. His post reads

''Dear Lagosians, it is with utmost pleasure that I inform you of the discharge of an additional 4 patients from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH). They comprise 3 Females and 1 Male. Bringing the total recovered patients to 23.

They were released having recovered fully and testing negative to the COVID-19 virus twice consecutively.

We are indeed happy to see them reunite with their loved ones.

I would also implore everyone to stay home, stay safe and not take this virus for granted.

Keeping strictly to the instructions on prevention is also very important.

Thank You all and God bless''.

Yesterday, 11 patients were discharged from the hospital. So far 23 patients have been discharged from the hospital. 

23 new cases of Coronavirus has been confirmed in Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos and Abuja.

With the new figures released by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, a total of 174 cases has been confirmed in Nigeria. 2 deaths have been recorded so far and 9 patients have been discharged after recovering from the disease.

Here is a breakdown of Coronavirus cases in some Nigerian states as at 8pm on April 1; Lagos- 91 FCT- 35 Osun- 14 Oyo- 8 Ogun- 4 Edo- 4 Kaduna- 4 Bauchi- 3 Enugu- 2 Ekiti- 2 Rivers-1 Benue- 1 Akwa Ibom- 5

UEFA has postponed all Champions League and Europa League matches “until further notice” due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

All international fixtures in June including Euro 2020 play-offs involving Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, as well as qualifying matches for the Women's European Championships in 2021 were called off.

The finals of the Champions League, Europa League and women's Champions League, all of which were scheduled for May, had already been postponed before now.

The European football's governing body made the announcement on Wednesday following a meeting with its 55 member associations via video conference.

UEFA also cancelled the European U17 Championship final tournament scheduled for May 2020 and the European Women's U19 Championship finals due to take place in July this year.

According to the Independent UK, UEFA want this season to be finished before the start of another which could even see the Champions League final played behind closed doors

They also claimed on Wednesday that voiding the 2019-20 season is now reportedly 'off the table' with UEFA and the European leagues committing to completing the current campaign.

The governing body will stage another video conference where plans will be discussed to finish the season, as well as issues over player contracts and the transfer window.

The Minister of Power, Sale Mamman who reacted to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) statement which confirmed that the plan to increase electricity tariff from April 1 has been postponed, has stated that the plan won't still take off unless Distribution Companies (DisCos) improve the quality of supply, meter consumers and agree on rates with consumers.

Mamman stated though the implementation of the new tariff plan was delayed for the next three months as palliative measures against Coronavirus, DisCos which fail to improve its supply will be sanctioned.

The Minister added that the Ministry he heads is supportive of a “service reflective” tariff system which is more equitable and will encourage investment in the sector.

Read the full statement below;

COVID-19; Minister’s Statement on Tariffs and Palliative measures for the Power Sector.

As part of the Federal Government efforts to ameliorate the current challenges occasioned by the ravaging COVID – 19 pandemic, The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission today issued an Order that included a 3-month delay in the implementation of tariff measures.

The 3-month delay in the implementation of tariff measures is consistent with His Excellency the President’s announcement on March 29th granting a moratorium for certain Federal Government funded facilities to the Nigerian Public.

There will be no tariff action in APRIL. Thereafter, tariffs will only be raised as the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) improve quality of supply, meter consumers and agree with consumers on rates. DISCOs that fail to improve will be sanctioned. This is based on the outcome of the public hearings on tariffs. The Ministry is supportive of a “service reflective” tariff system which is more equitable and will encourage investment in the sector. The Ministry will work with NERC to ensure that improvements happen in the entire DISCO network and estimated billing is capped per NERC Order 197/2020. This will eliminate arbitrary billing that Nigerians have raised issues with.

We are also implementing other key emergency measures to support the NESI (Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry). We are working with the CBN to ensure payments to the generators and gas suppliers through the Payment Assurance Facility (PAF) are expedited to support power supply. TCN is also creating emergency measures to ensure staff will be available to monitor the grid and perform technical interventions.

These changes and emergency measures will have an impact on Government finances. The Power Sector Recovery (PSRP) Financing Plan is being updated to reflect the changes. The Financing Plan will help support ongoing discussions with the World Bank on financial support for the sector and the transition away from tariff support as Government optimises its resources.

During this difficult time the President has instructed that critical infrastructure projects and programs for the poor and underserved be continued. The Ministry will continue to

implement key infrastructure programs such as the Siemens/Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). The Ministry through TCN will also continue the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program in partnership with the World Bank, African Development Bank, AfD, JICA and other key development partners. To support the underserved and citizens without access in this difficult time, the Ministry will accelerate programs with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) focusing on Solar Home Systems and Solar Mini-Grids that impact the poor. These programs continue to be supported by the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID, DFID and other key development partners. The Ministry is also in discussions with the Central Bank to provide financing to accelerate Solar Off-Grid programs with the REA.

The Ministry will engage with key NESI players in this difficult time to ensure sustainability of supply.

I commend players in the NESI that have made commitments to ensuring stable power supply in this period. Thank you to all the industry players for this patriotic stand. Indeed, times like these demands nothing less.

I am assuring Nigerians that the priority of this government as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari is to provide support for all citizens as we battle the global pandemic.

Engr. Sale Mamman

Honourable Minister of Power

31/03/2020

The Federal government through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), has announced a reduction in the pump price of petrol.

A statement signed by the PPPRA Executive Secretary, Abdulkadri Saidu, says the new retail price of petrol would be N123.50 beginning from today April 1st.

The new price is N1.50 lower than the N125 per litre announced on March 18th.

“The PPPRA, in line with the government approval for a monthly review of premium motor spirit (PMS) pump price, hereby announces guiding PMS pump price of N123.50 per litre. The guiding price, which becomes effective April 1, 2020, shall apply at all retail outlets nationwide for the month of April, 2020. The PPPRA and other relevant regulatory agencies shall continue to monitor compliance to extant regulations for a sustainable downstream petroleum sector. Members of the public and all oil marketing companies are to be guided, accordingly.” he said

Recall that on March 18, the Federal Executive Council had approved a reduction of petrol pump price from N145 to N125. After the slash of petrol pump price was announced, PPPRA announced that the federal government approved a monthly review of petrol price to reflect global crude oil market trends.

The Theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Olusegun Adeniyi has been sent back to school as a research fellow at Nigerian Army Resource Centre(NARC) in Abuja, few days after a video of him complaining about Boko Haram insurgents having more ammunition went viral.

 Major General Faruk Yahaya who was the general officer commanding (GOC) of the army’s 1 division in Kaduna, has been deployed to replace Adeniyi who has been in-charge of Operation Lafiya Dole since 2019.

While Nigerian Army's spokesman, Sagir Musa said the new postings was a routine exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness and efficiency, social media users insisted that Adeniyi’s deployment was a vindictive move by Buratai because Adeniyi told him an embarrassing truth.

Read the full statement announcing the new postings below;

Nigerian Army Approves New Posting, Appointments of Officers

In the rekindle spirit of professionalism, the Nigerian Army has released the postings and appointments of some affected senior officers.

The posting which was approved by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen TY Buratai is a routine/normal exercise intended to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness and efficiency.

The major highlight of the posting includes – the posting and appointment of Maj Gen ACC Agundu from Special Task Force (STF) Operation SAFE HAVEN Jos to Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Abuja as Senior Research Fellow, Major General HI Bature from Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Defence Liaison Office National Assembly Abuja to Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs and appointed Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj Gen UM Mohammed from Nigerian Army Property Limited (NAPL) to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff and appointed Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu/Deputy Chairman Board of Trustees NAPL, while the erstwhile Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu Maj Gen CC Okonkwo now redeployed to STF Operation SAFE HAVEN Jos and appointed Commander, Maj Gen F Yahaya from Headquarters 1 Division Kaduna to Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE (OPLD) Maiduguri and appointed Commander, while Maj Gen OG Adeniyi is redeployed from Headquarters Theatre Command OPLD Maiduguri to NARC as Senior Research Fellow, Maj Gen S Idris from Sector 2 OPLD Damaturu- Yobe State redeployed to DHQ Abuja and appointed Director Liaison.

Others affected include – Maj General AA Adesope from Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Audit and Financial Management to NAPL and appointed Group Managing Director, Maj Gen MG Ali from Headquarters Theatre Command OPLD Maiduguri to Headquarters 4 Special Forces Command Doma, Nasarawa State as Commander while the erstwhile Chief of Civil-Military Affairs AHQ Abuja Maj Gen US Mohammed has been redeployed to 1 Division Kaduna and appointed General Officer Commanding.

Similarly, Brig Gen HI Daniel from the Defunct Army Special Forces Command Maiduguri to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Minna and appointed Director Army Training Support, Brig Gen BE Onyeuko is to remain in DHQ Abuja as Acting Director Defence Media Operation, Brig Gen NM Jega from Training and Doctrine Command Minna to Infantry Corps Centre Jaji and appointed Chief of Staff, Brig Gen LA Araba from Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty Abuja now redeployed to Sector 2 OPLD Damaturu, Yobe State as Ag Commander, Brig Gen VO Ita from DHQ, Abuja to Headquarters 402 Special Forces Brigade Azare and appointed Commander while Brig Gen JAL Jimoh from Sector 3 Artillery Brigade OPLD Monguno to Headquarters 31 Brigade Minna and appointed Commander and Brig Gen GTO Ajetunmobi has been redeployed from 31 Brigade Minna to Nigeria Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty, Abuja as Executive Director Operation.

Others are – Brig Gen LG Lepdung from Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre Jaji to DHQ Abuja and appointed Deputy Director Procurement (Logistics), Brig Gen MO Ihanuwaze to remain in Office of the Chief of Army Staff Directorate of Audit and Financial Management as Acting Director, Brig Gen EC Obi – Osang from the defunct Headquarters 707 Special Forces’ Brigade Makurdi to Headquarters 401 Special Forces’ Brigade Makurdi as Commander while Brig Gen GM Mutkut is redeployed from the Defunct Nigerian Army Amphibious Command OPLD Baga to Headquarters 403 Amphibious Brigade Baga and appointed Commander and Brig Gen JR Lar from Nigerian Army School of Artillery Kachia to Sector 3 Artillery Brigade OPLD Monguno as Commander.

Also, Colonel DJ Abdullahi from the defunct Headquarters Nigerian Army Special Forces’ Command Maiduguri to Headquarters 4 Special Forces’ Command Doma Nasarawa State and appointed Acting Chief of Staff, Colonel EC Emere from Nigerian Army Archives to Nigerian Military School Zaria as Deputy Commandant and Col MO Agi is to remain in Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps Bauchi as Acting Chief of Staff among others.

All the postings and appointments take effect from the 1st of April 2020.

While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the Nation and the Service.