FRESH 4RM GIM

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has earmarked Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel as a likely replacement for John Terry as the Blues’ captain. The Super Eagles star has spent nine years with the Stamford Bridge lords since his controversial move from Norwegian side, Lyn in 2006 and had since won over 224 caps with four goals to his credit.

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Jose Mourinho, after the Chelsea manager claimed Arsenal were also trying to buy the title by spending big. Mourinho said that the Gunners have spent a lot in recent years and claimed Wenger’s team are now “more than ready to be title contenders”.

As the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA) draws closer, SAMUEL ABULUDE looks at the contenders for the prime prizes. Come September, the best of entertainers will be honoured in faraway United States of America. Actors, musicians, disc jockeys with origins in Nigeria and other parts of Africa have been nominated for their roles in different movies at the 10th edition of the Nigerian Entertainment Awards, NEA.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, yesterday died at the age of 85 in a London hospital after a brief illness. Although there was no official confirmation from the traditional ruler’s palace yesterday, for the news on the death of the Oba, whose official title was His Imperial Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II,

A breaking report contains that President Muhammadu Buhari was given the specific names of oil thieves in the course of his recent visit to the US. A member of Buhari’s entourage was said to have disclosed this information on Tuesday, July 28, to The Punch. The source added that when the Nigerian leader saw the list provided by the US, he could not believe his eyes.

M-Net has announced that the 2015 edition of its critically-acclaimed continental show, Big Brother Africa, has been put on hold. Meanwhile, the regional Big Brother shows, including Big Brother Angola and Big Brother Mzansi will go on.

Arsene Wenger has brushed off Jose Mourinho’s jibes about Arsenal’s spending in recent seasons. Ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Mourinho suggested the Gunners are more than ready to challenge for the title after spending almost £150million since the summer of 2013.

The former Brazil international believes he would easily win the trophy now because of the lack of quality at the top level Rivaldo has claimed he would win the Ballon d’Or three times if he was at his peak in the current era. The Brazil great was crowned the world’s best player in 1999, but Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have since won the award seven times between them in as many years.

Over the weekend, popular Nigerian musician, Timaya, was accused of rape by a US-based lady, Shella B. However, the Egberi papa 1 of Bayelsa reacted to the allegations saying truly he had sex with the lady but it was not rape. It later turned out that Shella is a singer who wanted to come into limelight at all cost. When she noticed she has gotten the attention she craved, she quickly publicized one of her songs which she released last year.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday interrogated Mrs Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President for about six hours over alleged corruption. Saraki was invited by the Commission for questioning over alleged shady contracts during her husband’s tenure as governor of Kwara between 2003 and 2011.

The sect has intensified its attacks since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the Nigeria's leader. Nigerian soldiers No fewer than eleven Boko Haram terrorists have been killed inBorno state on Monday, July 27, in a clash with local vigilantes and the Nigerian army. Three vigilantes were said to have also lost their lives in the clash.

Jose Mourinho responds to Shaka Hislop's criticism of his Chelsea team in the second half of last season - to his face. Jose Mourinho has hit back at Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez's wife after she joked her husband had to deal with the "messes" the Portuguese left at his former clubs. Benitez had spent time in charge of Inter Milan and Chelsea before taking on his current role at Real, and his wife told La Region:

President Muhammadu Buhari's decision to probe former president Goodluck Jonathan-led administration yesterday got the backing of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, APC maintained that it would amount to dereliction of duty if President Buhari turned a blind eye to the issues relating to alleged mismanagement and misapplication of public funds under the President Jonathan-led administration.

The former Chief Security Officer of former president Jonathan, Mr Gordon Obua is reportedly lying critically ill at the National hospital. According to friends of the former CSO who shared his photo on Facebook, Mr Obua has continued to suffer both physically and mentally and has been in great pain since the day he returned home on July 21st after being detained by the DSS. They say his abdomen is swollen and he has great difficulty moving around.

At least 29 people were confirmed killed after suspected Boko Haram fighters raided villages in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno on Monday and early Tuesday, a local official said. The insurgents stormed Dille community and two other surrounding villages in Askira Uba local district of the restive Borno State,