FRESH 4RM GIM

…as Wabba disagrees with Aremu Joe Ajaero, factional president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the failure of governments in 18 states of the federation to pay thou- sands of workers salaries running into eight months in some states as “stripping of the workers” humanity”.

After an exceptionally successful season with Barcelona, what would triumph with Argentina mean for the world's finest player? While Lionel Messi may have finally overcome his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo once and for all this season, his failure at international level is a hoodoo that lingers. For years, the debate has raged about whether Messi or Ronaldo is the world’s greatest player; the messiah or the machine.

Cristiano Ronaldo is revered at Real but might prosper with a move next summer. The ongoing Sergio Ramos "will he, won't he" watch has been filling the gossip pages this week, and as transfer sagas go it's a pretty good one, especially for Manchester United fans. Losing David de Gea would be a blow but there are other keepers of his stature knocking about.

Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) says importers of rice, cement and other products will no longer access Foreign Exchange from CBN, banks and bureau de change for such importation. Speakimg to newsmen on Wednesday, Emiefiele said the measure would prevent further depletion of the country’s foreign reserve.

The Senate has sum- moned the Nige- rian National Petro- leum Corporation (NNPC) to appear before it to give account of the state of the nation’s four refineries. The corporation is also expected to explain efforts made to ensure the func- tionality of private refiner- ies that have been granted licences to operate. It is fur- ther to explain the state of other structures under it to the relevant Senate com- mittees, as soon as they are set up.

 The inter agency rivalry between the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army came to head, yesterday, as the Aide de Camp to the President, Lt. Col Abubakar Lawal ordered personnel of the DSS out of the villa. The incidence which happened at the residence of the President at the Presidential Villa was extended to all other points that had been manned by the personnel of the DSS.

An American mother has pleaded guilty to killing her two children and dumping their bodies in a freezer. Mitchelle Blair says she killed her kids (Huggington Post) A Detroit woman, Mitchelle Blair, who was accused of killing two of her children and storing their bodies in a freezer at her home, has pleaded guilty to the crime after she was arraigned on a three-count charge of first-degree murder, torture and child abuse. Before Blair was put on trial, the court had declared her mentally competent and said she would accept a death penalty if the state of Michigan decide to hand her the death sentence.

Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama says he was not officially contacted to attend a meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Disciplinary Committee. Enyeama, who was absent at a disciplinary hearing in Abuja on Tuesday, has explained to the BBC Sport that he “only found out about a disciplinary hearing in the media but I didn’t get any letter to that effect.” Enyeama had raised concerns about security in Kaduna and the suitability of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium pitch for this month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Chad.

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan, has asked for a paternity test, which will confirm if he is actually responsible for the pregnancy of Sarah Kwabla, a 22-year-old university student. The Black Stars captain allegedly had an affair with Sarah and got her pregnant. She is now demanding for financial upkeep from the Al Ain player.

Chile bundled reigning champions Uruguay out of the Copa America with a 1-0 victory in a fast-paced quarterfinal that ended in controversy and kept alive the host nation’s dream of a maiden title on Wednesday. Uruguay were reduced to nine men by the end of the game with Edinson Cavani sent off for a second yellow card after 62 minutes and Jorge Fucile also shown red for a second booking with two minutes remaining.

The All Progressives Congress on June 25 officially nominated Ali Ndume as the majority leader of the Senate, despite the party directive prescribing the role for Ahmed Lawan. Ali Ndume Premium Times adds that Bala Ibn Na’alla, former House of Representatives member, was nominated as deputy leader; Francis Alimikhena – as deputy chief whip. The nominations are subject to approval.

Members of the House of Representatives have engaged in fisticuffs over sharing of principal offices in the green chamber. At Thursday’s plenary, the tension and divided interest among the lawmakers led to a brawl, which is still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

Angel Di Maria Angel Di Maria , has revealed he does not want to leave Manchester United this summer despite admitting he is unhappy at not starting more games for the Red Devils. The Argentina international arrived at Old Trafford from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £59.7 million last August, and initially enjoyed a promising start to life in the Premier league But after suffering injury towards the end of last year,