IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has dissolved the State Executive Council. Mr Kelvin Ebiri, the special assistant to the governor on media, who announced this in a statement on Tuesday said the dissolution of the cabinet was with immediate effect.

He added that the Chief of Staff to the governor and his Senior Special Assistant (Protocol) have been relieved of their office.

Governor Wike, in the statement, commended the members of the Rivers State Executive Council for their service and contribution to the development of the state and wished them the best in all their future endeavours.

He instructed all the former members of his cabinet to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective ministries.

Liverpool have signed Fabio Carvalho from Fulham with the forward set to officially join on 1 July. The 19-year-old played a key role in the Cottagers' promotion to the Premier League, scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists.

The clubs agreed a fee for a move in January but the deal collapsed on deadline day. Carvalho signs a five-year deal for a fee of £5m, with a further £2.7m in add-ons. Fulham also have a 20% sell-on clause. Carvalho played for England at youth level but made his Portugal Under-21 debut in March.

He came through the Fulham academy and was nominated for EFL Young Player of the Season, which was won by Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson. "Fabio is a great talent and we did everything we could trying to secure him here on a longer deal so he could play in the Premier League with Fulham," said club owner Tony Khan.

"That didn't prove possible, but we were able to keep him for the remainder of the Championship-winning campaign and for that I know he will always be very fondly remembered by our fans." 

Erik ten Hag says he is not risking his managerial reputation by taking the Manchester United job. The Dutchman, 52, is United's fifth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

"I don't see it as a risk," he said. "I think this club has a great history, and now let's make a future." Ten Hag also suggested Cristiano Ronaldo would not be leaving, adding he expected there to be goals from the Portugal forward next season.

The former Ajax boss was speaking to reporters at his official unveiling as United manager 24 hours after watching his new club lose 1-0 at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season. Their points tally of 58, though good enough to secure sixth and a place in the Europa League, is their poorest return since 1989-1990 and comes just a year after they finished second behind Manchester City.

Ten Hag did not say how many players he felt the club needed to bring in over the summer, instead answering that he was still "in the process of analysing" his squad. "The plan is huge and we only have a short time," he added.

President Muhammadu Buhari has re-echoed his government’s resolve to restore peace to every part of the country. Buhari said this on Monday during the 58th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force held in Kano State.

“This government would not rest until peace and security are fully restored to our nation,” he said in his speech. The President, who congratulated the NAF and other security agencies for their sacrifices toward peace, assured of his government’s continued support.

“I want to assure you that your sacrifices are well appreciated by Nigerians,” Buhari stated.

... Assures them of victory if given the party ticket

Action oriented Member representing Ideato North / Ideato South Federal Constituency & Chairman House Committee on Health Institutions Hon. Dr. Paschal Chigozie Obi "Ugwumsinachi" this afternoon addressed Ideato North delegates and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of his crusade to secure a second term ticket. 

In his extraordinary speech, Ugwumsinachi informed that his superlative performance cum verifiable achievements cannot be overemphasized, saying that the party will fly higher with him as the flagbearer. 

He emplored the party faithfuls to present him for the upcoming general election considering the trickle-down effects of his candidature.

Hon. Dr. Obi maintained that with unity of purpose and presentation of a viable candidate which he represents will give APC the desired conquest.

The party stakeholders thanked Ugwumsinachi for his quintessential representation, admitting that his presence in APC remains a big plus to the leading political organization.