Gunmen
suspected to be Fulani herders have attacked three communities in Girei Local
Government Area of Adamawa State, killing five people.
The villages of Murposa, Bankam and Wuro Hausa areas of Girie were all
affected as an elderly man suffering from a leg injury and a blind man, as well
as three youths, were killed in the attack.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning, according to witnesses who
identified the five victims including one Baba Zibion who was unable to run
because he had been suffering from a leg problem, and Baba Elnathan, who also
could not run from the attackers because he was blind.
The other three victims were identified as Ethan and two of his friends
with whom he went to one of the affected villages for timber work.
Girei is one of the three LGAs that forms what is generally called
Yola, the Adamawa capital territory. It lies next to Yola North and Yola South
LGAs.
The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed the attacks on Girei through
its Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, who said the situation had
been brought under control and police personnel have been drafted to beef up
security in the affected areas.
The apex
Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Friday highlighted
reasons for the high-level insecurity in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze claimed that the presidency’s alleged weak handling of killer
herdsmen was responsible for the level of insecurity in the country.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Chuks Ibegbu also
blamed insecurity in the country on the elites and government officials, who
loot public funds.
In a statement he signed, Ibegbu said: “We blame the issue of
insecurity on elite insensitivity, looting of our commonwealth by government
officials which leave the people and youths pauperized, inadequate training for
security agents and nepotism in their recruitment.
“Kids glove treatment of armed killer herdsmen by government officials
and the Presidency, parasitism by the ruling elites who corner the commonwealth
of the people to their bottomless pockets, culture of impunity in high and low
places, injustice and inequality between the haves and have nots, and the
excessive breeding of the population which leads to population explosion
especially of the youth strata.”
Ibegbu also stated that the “population of idle youths in Nigeria is
much caused by uncontrolled breeding especially in the North.
“There are more than 20million idle almajiris in the North, 7million
area boys in the west and 10 million militants and idle hands drawn into IPOB
and MASSOB in the East and South-South respectively.
“When you have this angry youth population in the country you can
imagine the consequences. The elites in the North now travel from Kaduna to
Abuja by rail to avoid being kidnapped along the road. The elites in the East
and South-South have no functional rail to travel through so they must face the
kidnappers along East-West road.
“The elites in the Southwest are luckier, they can go by air or sea and
some along the risky Lagos-Ibadan expressway. So nowhere is safe any more in
Nigeria, not even barracks, except perhaps Aso Rock and state Government
Houses,” he added.
On the way forward, Ibegbu called on the “Nigeria elites and ruling
class to repent and address the needs of the youths and common masses else they
will have no peace since they sowed the wind, they will continue to reap the
whirlwind.”
Between Buhari and Atiku:
Timi Frank backs Adebanjo, reveals why President cannot sack security chiefs
A former
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC,
Comrade Timi Frank, has expressed support for the decision of the leader of the
Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, that President
Muhammadu Buhari should not be recognised as President-elect.
Frank said until the Supreme Court determines the true winner of the
2019 presidential election, the President should rather be seen as “an illegal
President-elect”.
Pa Adebanjo had expressed optimism that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the
presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would reclaim his
mandate at the court.
The nonagenarian also said the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), wrongly declared Buhari as winner of the election.
Speaking through a statement he made available to newsmen in Abuja on
Friday, Frank commended the elder statesman for his courage in speaking truth
to power, adding that no matter how long it takes, the will of people would
surely prevail.
“It is unfortunate that Nigeria has very few men like Pa Adebanjo, who
can boldly say it as it is. Even at their very old age, hypocrisy is still a
meal ticket for so many and that is why illegality reigns supreme in Nigeria.
“Under the watch of Buhari, there is no governance and that is why his
appointees are taking advantage of his incompetence to loot public funds. Gen.
Buhari has taken the country from bad to worse, and democracy is now getting
another meaning under the nose of a failed President,” Frank stated.
He also reacted to the worsening security situation across the country
and insisted that all the money meant to buy equipment have been stolen by a
clique inside APC’s administration.
“Where is the motivation? All the money meant to purchase weapons has
been stolen by the APC government. The President cannot sack the tired and long
due for retirement Service Chiefs because the secret of his illegal second term
is in their (Service Chiefs) hands.
“A caring President cannot abandon the country when the nation is on
fire. Gen. Buhari does not care and that is why he chose to travel for a
private matter when his subjects are dying in large numbers to banditry,
kidnapping and hunger.”
On the economy, Frank said the country is now back to recession, adding
that unemployment has hit the roof with 33.5% of the total population
practically begging for daily bread, adding that the government of the APC has
ran out of ideas on how to take the people out of poverty.
“Nigerians should take note that the #NEXT LEVEL Buhari promised the
country is now being implemented fully, where insecurity reigns supreme, where
hunger and poverty stare Nigerians in the face, job loss and begging is the
order of the day, and lack of respect for the rule of law has become the badge
of honour for the government of the day,” he said.
Frank, however, called on leaders of thought, genuine civil society
organisations and all Nigerians to speak up and act before the socio-economic
situation in the country degenerate irretrievably.
What Tribunal chairman told
lawyers, parties about Ondo election petitions
The Ondo
State National assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal
has cautioned parties against frivolous applications and unnecessary tactics
that will delay the proceedings of the tribunal.
Justice Nuhu Adi, who is the Chairman of the three-member Tribunal,
gave the stern warning at the inaugural sitting in Akure, the Ondo state
capital.
The Chairman emphasised that the panel has only 180 days under the
electoral act to determine the seven petitions before it, adding that the
Tribunal will also be sitting on public holidays in order to fast track the
conclusion of its assignment.
Justice Adi however assured that the Tribunal’s members would deploy
high level of professionalism, legal skills and transparency to ensure that
both petitioners and respondents were served justice as required by the law.
His words: “We solicit the maximum cooperation of all that involved in
this exercise, particularly the legal representatives of the parties in all the
petitions.
“The hearing of the petitions shall be on a day to day basis, including
public holidays in order to meet up with 180 days period provided for the
hearing and determination of each petition.
“The parties are hereby enjoined to be ready to work within the
mandatory period stipulated by the law.The panel shall remain in absolute and
firm control of the court until the exercise is over.
“On this note, the Tribunal shall not condone or allow frivolous applications
calculated to draw back the proceedings. Unnecessary application for
adjournment of a matter would not be entertained,as undue delay would portray
the Tribunal as unserious.
“Any ploy by any counsel to waste the precious time of the Tribunal by
engaging in asking irrelevant questions during cross-examination of witnesses
shall not be tolerated.
“We assure you that in the quest to get the truth of the matter before
us, we shall exercise our judicial function in utmost good faith and we shall
work with open mind, without any form of bias. We also pledge not to lend
ourselves to any form of influence or inducement.” Justice Adi stated.
The seven petitions before the Tribunal are: Mega Party of Nigeria
(MPN) vs Boroffice, APC, INEC. (Ondo Senatorial District), Omotadowa Smart
Adeuyi (APC) vs Akingbaso Festus, PDP, INEC (Idanre State Constituency),
Abayomi Akinfemiwa (PDP) vs Mayowa Akinfolarin APC, INEC
(Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency).
Others include: Ojogo Donald (APC) vs Akinjo Kolade, PDP (Ilaje/Ese-Odo
Federal Constituency), Oladapo Abiola (PDP) vs Williams Adewinle Adewale, APC,
INEC (Ondo West State Constituency), Albert Akintoye, (APC) vs Ikengboju
Gboluga, PDP, INEC (Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency) and Falana Tajudeen
(AA) vs Felemu Bankole Olusegun, APC (Akoko South West State Constituency 2).
A former
Minister of Works and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator
Adeseye Ogunlewe on Friday said that he was set to dump the opposition party
for the ruling APC.
Ogunlewe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in
Lagos, said his decision to dump the PDP was because the party was rudderless
and that it had been perpetually enmeshed in crisis.
Ogunlewe said he saw no future in the PDP and that nobody should expect
a politician of his stature to stay in a house where some leaders were only
after their selfish interests.
The former minister said that issues arising from the governorship
elections exposed the fact that some people were only after money and not the
progress of the PDP in Lagos State.
”Yes, I am set to leave. My son is already there and he is expecting me
to join him. I am leaving in the next 30 days.
”You see, for now, there is no chairman in PDP. We don’t have leaders
and you don’t expect me to stay in a party that is not stable and with people
that lack focus.
”Look at what happened in the last elections. The supposed chairman of
the PDP in the state asked members to vote for the opposition for whatever
reason.
“Is that a party? Should I remain with people like these?
”What these people care about is only their selfish interests and not
the interest of the party. I am giving the party 30 days’ notice, after which I
will leave.
”I am tired of a party running into one problem or the other and I tell
you, these people can never change.”
The former minister said that he was also joining APC because he was
convinced that the party would zone the presidency to the South West in 2023,
apart from being a better-organised party.
Ogunlewe said he would not want to be left out of any arrangement to
give the region the presidency in 2023.
Tension in Delta as Yakubu
Gowon slumps during final military salute to Maj. Gen. Ejoor
Tension
heightened on Friday as Gen. Yakubu Gowon, a former Nigerian Head of State
slumped during the oration at the graveside of the late Maj. Gen. David Akpodiete
Ejoor in Ovwor-Olomu Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta
State.
Military personnel, however, made fruitless efforts to bar visual
coverage of the ugly incident.
The former Head of State was promptly rushed by some top echelons of
the military into the special tent for emergency resuscitation just as Governor
Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of the
Delta State dashed into the tent to ensure he recovers.
A military, as well as the Delta State ambulances, were immediately
moved to the front of the tent in case the former Head of State’s health
deteriorates further.
After a moment of suspense, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and Governor
Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa were seen coming from the special tent, an indication that
the former Army General has recovered.
Workers
were evacuated from offices on Friday as a man was detained by police over bomb
scare in Manchester city centre.
Daily Mail reports that Greater Manchester Police said the 26-year-old
man was held by officers and a cordon was put in place following the incident
at Piccadilly Gardens.
All Metrolink stops were suspended between Piccadilly and Victoria.
Meanwhile, there was another evacuation seven miles away at Gallery
Oldham at lunchtime, following reports of a suspicious package inside the
building.
A police spokesman said: ”A cordon is in place in Piccadilly Gardens
after reports of a suspicious package were made.
”A man aged 26 has been detained by police and enquiries into the
incident are ongoing. Thank you for your patience as we respond to this.”
The Police has also issued an instruction on safety: ”Please follow
directions from officers at Piccadilly Gardens.
”If you are working in the city and have been asked to stay indoors,
please do so while officers carry out their enquiries.”
British-born
actor, Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca the Wookiee, the loyal, furry
companion of space buccaneer Han Solo in five of the “Star Wars” movies, is
dead.
Mayhew died at his North Texas home on Tuesday, according to the
family’s statement, on Twitter.
No cause of death was given, NAN reports.
The lanky performer made his first appearance as the beloved, bleating
Chewbacca character in the landmark 1977 sci-fi action-thriller “Star Wars”.
He went on to co-star in four more films in the blockbuster series –
“The Empire Strikes Back”, “Return of the Jedi”, “Revenge of the Sith” and “The
Force Awakens”.
He retired from playing Chewbacca for health reasons, although his
family recalled that for Mayhew’s final turn as the heroic Wookiee in “The
Force Awakens”, he fought his way back from being wheelchair-bound to stand
tall’ once more as the woolly character in the 2015 film.
Body of 4-year-old found dead in soak-away in Yobe as police arrest suspect
[PHOTOS]
A body of a
4-year-old boy, Al-Amin Baba has been recovered today in a soakaway pit in
Potiskum town, Yobe State after missing for about two weeks.
The boy who has gone missing since the 17th of April, 2019 was said to
have been kidnapped by unknown persons while returning home from an Islamic
school late evening, who demanded 8 million Naira and later 2 million Naira as
ransom.
News reaching us have that one of the kidnappers who had come to collect
the ransom after contacting Al-Amin’s father was apprehended by a combined team
of police and members of vigilante operating in the area.
After interrogation, the suspected kidnapper told the security
operatives where the body of Al-Amin can be found.
Ibrahim Baba, father of the 4-year-old said the deceased’s body was
found close to Potiskum Remand Home, without eyes, throat and male organs, a
situation that raised a suspicion that the suspected criminals had used the
victim’s organs for ritual rites.
Hauwa Ibrahim Baba, mother of Al-Amin expressed shock over the
discovery of the body of her 4-year-old son who was the child among the five
children she had.
According to her, the missing of her son has been a nightmare to her
and the rest of the family.
She, however, thanked God as her son’s body was found though dead, but
added that the family now has the honor to bury him according to Islamic
injunctions.
“I am appealing to government to ensure that justice prevails on the
perpetrators of this heinous act”, she appealed.
The remains of Al-Amin has since been buried according to Islamic rites
amid tears.
The suspect according to reports will be arraigned in court after
investigation by the police.
Chiefs call for monarch’s intervention as chieftaincy crisis tears
Ekiti community apart
As
chieftaincy tussles continue to rage in Ilawe Ekiti, in Ekiti South West Local
Government area of Ekiti state, the chiefs of the town has called for
intervention of Alawe, Oba Adebanji Alabi to prevent an imminent crisis in the
town.
The Chiefs at Okeloye quarters of the town said the crisis bedevilling
the town will continue to persist if some chiefs are not warned to refrain from
distorting history to suit their position and relevance in the town.
The Elemo of Oke Emo quarters in Ilawe Ekiti, Chief Gbenga Agbona and
the family of Elero in Ilero, had been embroiled in crisis over the claim of
the former that he used to play the leading role in the installation and burial
of Alawe.
At a press conference in Ilawe Ekiti on Friday, the quarters’ heads ,
led by Elemo of Okeloye, Chief Michael Adeolu , said the town may be plunged
into crisis, if Alawe doesn’t intervene and place history in the right
perspective about the relevance and roles of chiefs in the Oba’s installation
and burial rites.
He clarified that Elemo of Okeloye had been the chief saddled with the
responsibility of installing Alawe and also to announce his death since time
immemorial and that no distortion can deprive him of the right.
“The Elemo of Okeloye quarters came with Alawe from Ile Ife. According
to history, is the fifth to Alawe in the hierarchy in this order; Oloja Adin,
Oloja Aaye, Odofin Okebedo, Elemo Oke Emo, follow by me and others.
” I install the king. I used to do this with Ewe Akoko(Akoko Leaves) at
a place called Oju Ilawe. From there, we will go to Ajagbo lake and to Oja Romu
along Ado road. I will later take the new Alawe for another rite at Owa Ariyo
in my palace at Okoye.
“After this, I will hand him over to Oke Emo chiefs. After leaving
there, he will be handed over to us for further rites before I release him to
Ejigbo for seven days.
” This is when he becomes the king. I perform the larger and most
significant part of the rites. Even during Ogun festival, I used to give Alawe
new yam to eat after offering prayers”.
Speaking about the Alawe’s burial and his roles, Chief Adeolu said:
“When the king dies, the princes will inform me three times. I will summon a
meeting and we will go there with a deity called Ariyo. No chief will see the
corpse before me. When I get there, I will remove the cloth of the deceased
Alawe and pray for him before doing the official announcement of the death.
” 18 obas had been installed in history of Ilawe. Upon death, Elemo
Itamoroti removed the cloth of Oba Afunbiokin in May 1929. Elemo Oluyede did
that of Adefolalu while I removed that of Oba Adeyemi Ademileka in 2011″, he
said.
Chief Adeolu warned that distortion of history will kill Yoruba culture
if proper steps are not taken.
Gov. Yahaya Bello reacts to the death of Dino Melaye’s mother
The Kogi
State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has reacted to the death of Senator Dino Melaye’s
mother, Comfort Melaye.
The lawmaker representing Kogi West at the National Assembly had
Thursday night announced the death of his mother.
The Governor, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press
Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, on Friday, described the news of Deaconess Melaye’s
death as “a rude shock and great loss not only to Kogi State but Nigeria in
general, given her invaluable contributions to the cause of humanity”.
He said Deaconess Melaye was “a quintessential mother, devout Christian
and community leader who devoted her lifetime to the service of God and
humanity.
Bello said, “I received with shock, news of the passing of your mother,
Deaconess Comfort Melaye.
“Words are insufficient to condole one on a mother’s death, but I do
urge you to take solace in the life that she lived.
“I have no doubt that mama’s impact and reach will continue to be felt
through her offspring.
“On behalf of the Great People of Kogi State, my family and myself, I
offer you our deep condolences while praying the Almighty God to grant you and
the rest of the Melaye family the grace to endure this irreparable loss. “Do
keep us notified of funeral plans.”
The Federal
High Court, Abuja on Friday sacked Abdulrauf Modibbo as member-elect
representing Yola South/Yola North/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa State
in the National Assembly.
Justice Inyang Ekwo nullified Modibbo’s election while delivering
judgment in a suit filed by Mustapha Usman challenging the election, NAN
reports.
Modibbo was declared winner of the All Progressives Congress’ primaries
held on Oct. 7, 2018 in Yola, and eventually represented the APC in the 2019
general elections, of which he was also declared winner.
Usman dragged Modibbo to court after the election, alleging that he
falsified his age and was not eligible to contest the APC primaries.
He prayed the court to disqualify Modibbo as APC candidate for Yola
North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency.
He joined the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) as defendants in the suit.
Justice Ekwo, in his judgment, declared that Modibbo was not qualified
to contest the APC primaries as well as the 2019 House of Representatives election
for the federal constituency.
The court held that Usman was the lawful winner of the Oct. 7, 2018 APC
primaries and candidate of the party for the constituency.
The judge further held that Usman had successfully proven beyond
reasonable doubt that Modibbo falsified his age severally in order to contest
election.
The court also noted that the plaintiff proved that Modibbo submitted
the forged certificates for the purpose of contesting the party primaries.
The court also held that Modibbo was a serving National Youth Corps
member when he contested the primary election, saying the action breached
Section 4 of the NYSC Act 2004.
“A person who is a lawbreaker cannot be a lawmaker, this illegality is
one that cannot be wished away,” the judge said.
The judge declared that in view of the disqualification of Modibbo,
Usman, who polled the second highest votes in the Oct. 7, 2018 primary election
of the APC for Yola South/Yola North/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa, was
the lawful winner.
Justice Ekwo gave an order directing the APC and INEC to immediately
replace Modibbo’s name with that of Usman as the lawful candidate of APC for
the federal constituency.
45-yrs old man charged for raping 10-yrs old girl in Lagos
An Ikeja
Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on Friday ordered that a 45-year-old man,
Celestine Onwusonye, who allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old girl, be remanded in
prison.
Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, who did not take the plea of the
defendant, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Prison.
Sule-Amzat ordered the police to send the case file to the Director of
Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.
He then adjourned the case until June 3.
The defendant, who resides in Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos, is facing a
charge of unlawful sexual assault, NAN reports.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Asp. Benson Emuerhi, told the court
that the defendant committed the offence on April 19, at 11 pm No 2/3 Kudirat
Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
Emuerhi alleged that the defendant sexually assaulted the girl.
He said the case was reported to the police at Isokoko Police Division
by the girl’s mother.
The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of Section 261 of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The Bishop
of Diocese on the Coast, Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion) in Okitipupa
Local Government area of Ondo State, Rt. Rev’d Ebunoluwa Ogunele is dead.
According to NAN, the Anglican cleric died on Thursday in Akure, the
state capital, after battling with an undisclosed illness.
The town of Ilutitun in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State
was on Friday thrown into mourning following the development as pastors,
politicians and residents of Ilutitun and environs trooped to the Bishop’s
Court in the town, to condole with the family of the deceased.
Pastor Peter Akinyelure, Chairman, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN),
Okitipupa Chapter, described the late bishop as a great man of God, who was
always ready for the service of God and humanity.
“He was a man of God with integrity, always ready to serve God and
mankind, we will dearly miss him,” he said.
Mr Bode Ikulala, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Okitipupa
LGA, described the deceased as one who had succeeded in bringing the Christian
fold together without sentiments.
“His death is a big loss to all Ikaleland because he worked tirelessly
to pursue the development of the Anglican Communion in the area.
Mr Tunde Ikumawoyi, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in
Okitipupa LGA, said the man of God was in the forefront of fence-mending as
regards religious, ethnic and political differences in the area.
The late bishop was born in 1950 in Ilutitun, and was consecrated the
Lord Bishop of the Diocese in 2002.
He is survived by wife, Felicia, and six children.
Governor
Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has condemned the latest attacks on three
communities in the state.
Al-Makura made the condemnation on Friday in Lafia at the installation
of retired Justice Sidi Bage-Abubakar I as the 17th Emir of Lafia, NAN reports.
North Central Nigeria, the food basket of the nation, has witnessed
relentless attacks that have left hundreds dead and displaced thousands of
people.
The attacked communities are: Panda in Karu, Igah in Nassarawa-Eggon
and Andaha in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.
According to the governor, the government has directed heads of
security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks.
“The perpetrators of these attacks cannot go unpunished. The government
will do everything possible to ensure that we bring them to book.
“The perpetrators will not escape justice no matter how highly placed.
“The government is committed to ensuring peace. Therefore, we cannot
allow anybody to sabotage our efforts,” he said.
The governor further stated that the government had deployed security
operatives to the troubled areas to forestall further breakdown of law and
order.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that attacks in the three
communities have claimed many lives with property worth millions of naira
destroyed from March to this month.
MTN Group
has appointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano and former governor of the
Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as a non-Executive Director.
In a statement released on Friday, the Johannesburg-based
telecommunications company also announced the appointment of Mcebisi Jonas,
South Africa’s former deputy finance minister, as chairman.
Jonas will replace Phuthuma Nhleko, its present chairman, who is
scheduled to step down in December.
“In recent years MTN Group has experienced challenging regulatory
environments and highly competitive trading conditions,” the company said.
“The board is of the view that MTN Group has entered a more stable and
settled phase, enabling it to now affect the evolution of the board.”
The company has announced that it looks to list on the Nigerian Stock
Exchange before July, saying it plans to enter the market by way of listing by
introduction.
MTN also announced that it has appointed a separate board for advice on
broader African issues.
This board will be headed by Thabo Mbeki, former South African
president. John Kufuor, former Ghanian president, and Nhleko, its outgoing
chairman, will be members of the board
Messi vs Ronaldo, who’s the best: Balotelli sends message to football fans
Marseille
striker, Mario Balotelli has spoken on football fans comparing Barcelona
captain, Lionel Messi with Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 28-year-old pleaded with football fans not to compare Messi to
Ronaldo anymore.
This is coming after Messi inspired Barcelona to defeat Liverpool 3-0
in the Champions League semi-final first leg encounter on Wednesday night.
In a post on Instagram, Balotelli wrote: “For the love of football
please do not compare him [Messi] to the No.7 of Juventus anymore!”
Messi has won five Ballon d’Or awards as well as four Champions League
trophies and ten La Liga titles, while Ronaldo has also won five Ballon d’Or
awards as well as five Champions League trophies, three Premier Leagues, two La
Liga titles and one Serie A title.
Champions League: Messi reveals what Liverpool will do at
Anfield
Barcelona
captain, Lionel Messi says he expects Liverpool to “push hard” when they play
the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash next week at Anfield.
Messi was the match-winner again for the La Liga champions on Wednesday
as they recorded a 3-0 win over the Reds in the first leg.
The Argentine superstar netted twice in the second half after Luis
Suarez opened scoring before the break to put Barca in control of the tie.
Messi, writing on Instagram afterwards, made it clear that it is not
over and expects Liverpool to fight hard at their “difficult stadium”.
He posted: “Happy with the result of tonight. But we still have to go
to Anfield, a very difficult stadium, where Liverpool – who are a great team –
will push hard.
“The most important moment of the season is coming and we have to be
closer and united than ever.
“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to send a hug to Casillas and
wish him quick recover very soon.”
