Herrera, Shaw & Rooney lead Van Gaal's first Manchester United squad

 
Every player who went further than the group stage at the World Cup is left behind but the 25-man party - who will play their pre-season in USA - is a strong oneNew Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has named his 25-man squad for the club's pre-season tour of the USA.

The squad features 10 players who took part at the World Cup, including Wayne Rooney, as well as the club's summer recruits, Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera.

Shaw, David de Gea, Shinji Kagawa, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Danny Welbeck and Nani were all eliminated at the group stage in Brazil with their respective countries.

Of United's international contingent, only Patrice Evra, Javier Hernandez, Robin van Persie, Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini are not included, all of whom reached the second round or further.

The Red Devils will face LA Galaxy in their first match of the summer on July 23 before clashes with Roma, Inter and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup on July 26, July 29 and August 2, respectively.

Van Gaal has also included some younger players, with the likes of Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard given chances to impress.

Squad in full: David de Gea, Anders Lindegaard, Sam Johnstone, Ben Amos, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Tyler Blackett, Michael Keane, Reece James, Ander Herrera, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young, Wilfried Zaha, Shinji Kagawa, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia, Nani, Jesse Lingard, Danny Welbeck, Will Keane, Wayne Rooney

Cleric urges Muslims not to miss the night of majesty

 
The Chairman Oyo State Pilgrim Board, Alhaji Taofeek Akewugberu, on Friday urged Muslims not to miss the blessings of the Night of Majesty (Lailatul-qadri) so as to prepare for their hereafter.

Akewugberu gave the advice on Friday in an interview in Ibadan.

According to him, the night of majesty is a night of blessing within the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Akewugberu said that any act of worship made in that night, if it coincided with the intention of Allah, would be rewarded as someone who had performed a thousand months of worship for Allah.

“Only God knows who will inherit whatever you have in this world but the supplication you made in that night of majesty will be what you prepare for yourself and meet in the hereafter,’’ he said.

The cleric also advised Muslims to endeavour to perform It’kaf.

Vidal: My time at Juventus may be over

Amid strong Manchester United interest, the Chilean midfielder admitted that there is uncertainty over whether he will remain at the Scudetto holders this summerArturo Vidal has fuelled the fire regarding a potential transfer away from Juventus by admitting that he is unsure if his time at the club is complete.

Manchester United are very interested in signing the Chilean, 27, with Louis van Gaal believed to be keen to bring the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder to Old Trafford, while Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for him.

With Antonio Conte having resigned as Juventus coach and Massimiliano Allegri named as his successor, it has been suggested that Vidal may be leaving Turin this summer but he insists he has no idea where his future lies ahead of the 2014-15 season.

"It's hard to talk about another big club when you're already at a team at the top level," he told Chilean newspaper La Cuarta. I've won three championships with Juve in Italy and I have respect for my team-mates.

"I've heard of interest from Real Madrid as well as that of Manchester United, but these are things there that my agent is dealing with.

"I honestly do not know if my cycle with Juventus is finished. When I return to Italy I will talk with the new coach and see what happens.

"Now all I'm thinking about are the seven days of holiday that I have left."

Vidal joined Juventus in 2011 in a €10.5 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen

Actress Moji Olaiya Turns Islamic Gospel Singer, Adopts Muslim Name Rahimat

It is now  official, The actress who claimed she finds peace in her newly adopted religion has revealed her Muslim name as Rahimat.
As we speak, she is working on a new Islamic gospel song being produced by Okiki film.
Here is an excerpt from her new interview with Encomium
What are you working on right now?
I have a lot of projects I am working on now. I just finished an Islamic gospel song with Okiki Films. The job is in collaboration with Islamic gospel singers, including Ere Asalatu, Aminat Omotayebi, Rukayat Gawat and others. Also, I just finished a production concerning marital problems.
What informed delving into Islamic song?
I guess my marketer just wanted me to try something else. I felt he just wanted me to feature in the album. And it was a very nice and wonderful experience.
But you’re not a Muslim?

Photos from Wizkid's 24th birthday party last night

Wizkid celebrated his 24th birthday party with friends and colleagues at Escape Nightclub in Lagos last night.

BREAKING NEWS: Malaysian passenger plane carrying 295 people 'shot down.

A Malaysian Airlines passenger plane has reportedly been shot down on the Russian-Ukraine border, apparently killing all 295 people on board.
Flight MH17, which was carrying 280 passengers and 15 crew, was flying between Amsterdam and Kuala Lumpar after taking off leaving at lunchtime today.
The Interfax news agency reported that the aircraft went missing near Donetsk, where pro-Russian rebels have been fighting Ukrainian government forces for several weeks. 
TV pictures from the scene showed a pall of smoke billowing into the sky apparently from the stricken aircraft.
It is believed the plane was struck by BUK surface-to-air missile at 33,000ft around 20 miles before entering Russian airspace.

Lagos Pastor ‘implicated’ in ritual saga opens up

The news broke, just like a thunderbolt. Mrs. Rosemary Chukwu, a mother of four, residing at 33, Omolegede street, a suburb of Ikorodu area in Lagos State, abducted a seven-year-old primary School pupil, Emmanuel Emeka, and was about taking him to a den when it was foiled .

Shockingly, the suspect revealed to the bewildered crowd that gathered after she was caught that her pastor asked her to bring the boy. She mentioned the General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry a.k.a House of Mercy in the same Ikorodu, as her pastor.

The pastor, identified as Ernest Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, 49, was said to be on the run and was later apprehended and handed over to the police at the State Criminal Investigations Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos for interrogation. Crime Guard was able to corner the embattled pastor as he was leaving the confines of police cell at Panti and he gave his own account of the ugly incident.

Excerpts:

INTRODUCTION

“My name is Prophet Ernest Chukwuemeka Nwankwo, from Nsugbe in Anambra East L.G.A, Anambra State. I have a Ministry formerly called Jesus Divine Healing and Deliverance Ministry now called Holy Family, Happy Family Ministry. I was out of Lagos for two weeks. I came back on Tuesday, June 14, and came to my Ministry on Wednesday morning.

Please, forgive me, Ohakim begs Imo people

The immediate past Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, spoke to our correspondent, CHIDI NKWOPARA, on a number of issues, including his days in office, the scores of allegations leveled against him and his aspirations. Please read on.
Could you cast your mind back on the recent fire incident in your private residence in Owerri?

I want to thank you immensely for your concern about my welfare, especially since the dastardly act of bombing the only house I have in Owerri. The press, particularly Vanguard, has been very fantastic in its
Gov. Ikedy Ohakim

Gov. Ikedy Ohakim

Oil production to hit 250,000 bpd by 2020, says NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),  said it was set to increase output of Nigeria Petroleum Development company (NPDC), from 170, 000 to about 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2020.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Andrew Yakubu, stated this on Friday in Uyo in a key note address at a Capacity Building Workshop for Energy Correspondents.

NPDC is the NNPC’s flagship exploration and production subsidiary.

Cristiano Ronaldo Treats His Teammates as Subordinates Says Manuel Jose

Manuel Jose, former sporting Lisbon manager has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for treating his teammates like ‘subordinates’.
The 29-year-old was in blistering form for his club throughout the 2013/14 season – earning him the prestigious Ballon D’Or
However, his country’s stay in South America was short lived following a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Germany in their opening game, which would eventually prove the difference after a draw with the USA and win versus Ghana saw them eliminated on goal difference.
Ronaldo had earlier made comments suggesting he never believed he and his teammates could win the competition, which has irritated Manuel Jose
“Portugal have been carrying the world’s best like a diamond ring that they never had. The other players were treated like subordinates”

The beginning of the end of Aribisala’s fiction

The Special Adviser Media to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in this rejoinder, dismisses Dr. Femi Aribisala’s latest column entitled The beginning of the end of Bola Tinubu
DR. Femi Aribisala’s recent article “The beginning of the end of the Bola Tinubu Dynasty” should not have appeared in The Vanguard or in any newspaper for that matter. What this piece represented was a contribution to fiction writing, not responsible journalism.

How Nigerian Soldiers Killed A Redeemed Church Pastor

Many people were injured while a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God was shot dead by soldiers the in Opuraja community of Okpe Local Government Area in Delta State on Tuesday.

Tonto Dikeh Reacts To A Drawing Of Her

She is definitely not liking it at all!!

INI-EDO'S MARRIAGE IN TROUBLE AS Husband Citizenship Revoked

Change is said to be the only thing constant and this period seems not to be the best of times for Iniobong Edo-Ehiagwina, whose fortune seems to have taken a downward course. The dark-skinned actress has fallen out of favour with movie marketers over the allegation that she is pompous and undisciplined, which is the reason she has not been getting roles in movies as she used to get some time back, while an actress like Mercy Johnson has her hands full even when she’s still nursing her baby.

Matuidi ‘disappointed’ with Onazi challenge

The France midfielder has revealed he went into the dressing room after the game to say sorry to the Lazio star for a tackle that ended his match
France midfielder Blaise Matuidi has admitted that he was "disappointed" with his tackle that forced Nigeria’s Ogenyi Onazi off during les Bleus’ 2-0 World Cup last-16 success over the African champions.

Just before an hour had been played, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder challenged the Lazio player in the centre of the field but was late to the ball and caught Onazi on the ankle – a blow that ended the 21-year-old's involvement and left Nigeria boss Stephen Keshi fuming.