Buhari, Osinbajo’s assets to be made public after verification — Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that in fulfilment of one of their campaign promises, his declared assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be released to the public upon the completion of their verification by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
It is hoped that this process will be completed before the expiry of the 100-day deadline within which they said they would do this.
The Senior Special Assistant, SSA (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu who announced this in a statement on behalf of the President on Saturday, 6 June, said “the duly completed forms by both the President and the Vice President were submitted to the CCB on March 28th, a clear day ahead of their inauguration.”
He said this statement was warranted by the need to clarify some suggestions that the President and the Vice-President may not, after all, declare their assets publicly.
“While such public display of concern is appreciated and valued, it must be said that it is a little precipitate.
“As required by law, the declaration and submission of documents to the CCB have been made, but there still remains the aspect of verification which the Bureau will have to conduct to authenticate the submissions made to it.
“In the circumstances, it is only after this verification exercise, and not before, that the declaration can be said to have been made and validated; and only after this, will the details be released to the public.
“There is no question at all that the President and the Vice President are committed to public declaration of their assets within the 100 days that they pledged during the presidential campaign.
“The President and the Vice President wish to thank Nigerians for their show of concern, and for the confidence they have shown in their leaders’ integrity, as evidenced by the high pedestal of uprightness and expectations on which they have placed them.”

BREAKING NEWS: APC leaders meet Senators-elect to choose candidate for Senate president

Senators elected under the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, are currently meeting with the National Executive Committee of the party at the International Conference Centre Abuja to pick a candidate for the office of the Senate President.
The NWC had earlier in the day met with members-elect of the House of Representatives after which a mock election was held for the candidate to run for the office of speaker.
That election was won by Femi Gbajabiamila, although his main challenger, Yakubu Dogara, led his supporters out of the venue of the meeting before election commenced.
The meeting with Senators is also expected to be followed with a mock election for a candidate of the party in Tuesday’s election at the national assembly.
Like that of the speaker, there are also two candidates running for Senate President: former governor of Kwara state, Bukola Saraki, and the chairman of the senate committee on public account, Ahmed Lawan.
As at 11p.m., most Senators loyal to Mr. Lawan had arrived the ICC, while the national chairman of the party, John Oyegun, and other members of the NWC, had also arrived.
However, Senator Saraki and most Senators loyal to him were yet to turn up.
A source informed said the Saraki group are currently holding a meeting at a different Hotel in Abuja.

RUMOR.......On Transfer

Real Madrid are keen to sell 27-year-old striker Karim Benzema to Manchester United in a bid to speed up the signing of goalkeeper David De Gea, 24. (AS English) 

Is Karim Benzema bound for Old Trafford? 

 

Manchester United are to join the race to sign out-of-favour Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, 33, as they look to replace the seemingly Real Madrid-bound De Gea. (Talksport) 

 

Cech's fellow Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, 23, admits it is a shame to see the Czech Republic international spend so much time on the bench at Stamford Bridge. (London Evening Standard) 

 

Manchester United are preparing to make a £50m bid for Tottenham striker Harry Kane, 21, with Louis van Gaal set to offer Javier Hernandez, Nani and Adnan Januzaj as part of the deal. 

(Goal.com)

Liverpool are closing in on their second summer signing after reportedly agreeing terms with Inter Milan for 21-year-old midfielder Mateo Kovacic. (Daily Star) 

Manchester United's Javier Hernandez wants to return to Real Madrid where he spent last season on loan. The 27-year-old striker has praised new Real manager Rafa Benitez. (Daily Mail) 

Sunday Telegraph sport front page 

Midfielder Eden Hazard says he would be delighted if fellow Belgium international Christian Benteke, 25, was to join him at Premier League champions Chelsea next season. (Sky Sports) 

Arsenal appear set to make a £25.7m bid for Colombia striker Jackson Martinez after Porto rejected a bid for the 28-year-old from Atletico Madrid. (Metro) 

Newcastle are nearing an agreement for Steve McClaren to take charge as manager and are set to launch a bid for QPR striker Charlie Austin, 25. (Newcastle Chronicle) 

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew looks set to make a double bid for two of his former Newcastle United players, France midfielder Yohan Cabaye, 29, and his international team-mate striker Loic Remy, 28. (Daily Express) 

Fifa could be called in to intervene in a dispute between Sunderland and Inter Milan over the permanent signing of winger Ricky Alvarez, 27, with the Serie A club claiming the Black Cats owe them £7.5m for the Argentine. (Daily Mirror) 

Atletico Madrid are set to pay Southampton £1.5m to activate a buy-back clause for defender Toby Alderweireld, 26, after the Belgium international spent the season on loan at St Mary's last year. (Southern Daily Echo) 

Newly-promoted Norwich City are thought to be interested in Hull winger Robbie Brady, 23. (Hull Daily Mail) 

Norwich are also set to bolster their midfield options with a £7m bid for Crystal Palace's Scotland international James McArthur, 27. (Daily Star) 

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is making Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes, 25, his number one target as he looks to replace Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford. (Daily Mail) 

Brighton boss Chris Hughton has funds available for players this summer but has vowed to buy only "value for money" players. (The Argus) 

D’Banj, Banky W host epic CIROC all-white ball

Lagos celebrated CÎROC-style this weekend, with Nigerian superstars and CÎROC Ambassadors Banky W and D’Banj hosting events at the luxury city’s hotspots, including the grand All-White grand re-opening of The Place, Ikeja Nightclub and a special CÎROC edition of The Grill At The Pent.

Hosted by Banky W, the highly anticipated grand re-opening of the popular ‘The Place’ Ikeja penultimate Saturday followed a total refurbishment of the club, complete with ultra-modern interiors and state of the art sound facilities, bringing an unparalleled clubbing experience to Lagos’ trendsetters.

“Its not a secret, I have enjoyed some parties in some of the world’s most impressive locations. With that being said, I’ve found that there’s still “no party like a CÎROC Lagos party”. I was excited to witness that ‘The Place’ Ikeja is a world-class venue and I enjoyed being part of their grand reopening. It was an epic celebration!” said Banky W.

Sunday’s CÎROC Special at The Grill At The Pent, meanwhile, was the first time Brand Ambassadors, Banky W and D’Banj, hosted an event together and, along with the crème de la crème of the Lagos party scene, they “tore the roof” off at COVA (at the Mega Plaza penthouse) where this landmark event was held.