Babafemi Raji's Retina

The 2019 presidential definitely would be a keenly contested one with the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) primaries throwing up Atiku Abubakar as candidate to face the incumbent and All Progressives Congress(APC) flagbearer, Muhammadu Buhari...but let us take a look at the man, Atiku Abubakar. *This will be his fifth presidential contest having participated in all but one of the country’s presidential elections as an aspirant, candidate or vice-presidential candidate since 1993. *Atiku has strong political network across the country. *Atiku has a strong financial base...oh yes, he is believed to have a deep pocket and only one of few who could fund a robust presidential campaign against an incumbent. *Atiku is very liberal despite being Fulani Muslim. He has connected with many parts of Nigeria and his businesses are run by people from different parts of the country. He has family linkages across the three main parts of the country. His first wife, Titi...

Your dictionary defines bride as a woman who is about to be married or who is newlywed. However, in context, the word bride can go for a precious jewel in hot demand. Yes, we have a Nigerian now who is the beautiful bride being courted in football circles in Europe. Italian Serie A side, AS Roma are ready to table an initial €15.5m bid for Nigerian international, Samuel Kalu. There are reports that Roma sent scouts to view the Girondins de Bordeaux winger. Kalu, 21, joined Bordeaux from KAA Gent this summer for €8.5m and has made a strong start in Ligue 1, scoring one goal and providing two assists in nine games. His exploits in the Ligue 1 earned him national teal team call and has played for the Nigerian Super Eagles. However, Roma will surely face competition from La Liga and Premier League sides as he is currently in the radar of a couple of teams. Samuel Kalu's international journey: *On 9 December 2015, Kalu signed a two-year contract for the Slovak side AS Tre...

Now, I got this from a friend....I was in a seminar in May this year where Atiku was present. He was asked to tell Nigerians how he planned restructuring Nigeria in the first one year in practical ways not just rhetorics. I was marvelled how Atiku responded. Atiku said that restructuring Nigeria is not rocket science. He made it categorically clear that the first major step at restructuring the country is to DECONGEST THE EXCLUSIVE LIST—handing over some of federal government responsibilities to states through constitutional amendment. He went further by saying that through the same constitutional amendment, some of the states responsibilities will be given to local governments that would become independent through the same alterations of the constitution. He said that this is one of the major reasons he would see National Assembly as partners in rebuilding Nigeria not political enemies. From that day on, Atiku won my heart. He made all the postulations extemporaneously—wi...

Julen Lopetegui Argote was born in Asteasu in the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa on the 28th of August 1966 and yes, every parent would hope for the best in life for such a child on such occasions. Yes as a goalkeeper, he had dreams but the reality is that he never cut it big. Truth is that Lopetegui has always been a nearly man, gets close to actualizing his dreams only to receive rude awakenings. From his playing days at club level where he was just a member of the squad...oh yes, he was supremo at lowly Logrones and Castilla to making just one appearance for the senior national team, he always never hit it big. In 1985, he accepted an offer from Real Madrid, which immediately incorporated the 19-year-old to its B-team. After a loan spell at UD Las Palmas Lopetegui returned, but could never dislodge another veteran, Francisco Buyo. In 1994, Andoni Zubizarreta left for Valencia CF and Lopetegui felt it was a big opening to hit it big in a big club and joined FC Barcelona, ba...

Various candidates’ credentials have been made available to journalists at INEC's office in Abuja and incumbent president, Buhari again failed to attach necessary supporting documents, insisting that they were in the custody of the military. In the affidavit which he swore to, Buhari said, “I am the above named person and the deponent of this affidavit herein. All my academic qualification documents as filled in my Presidential form, APC/001/2015 are currently with the Secretary of the Military Board as of the time of this affidavit. On his part, Atiku submitted all relevant documents, with a Diploma in Law in 1969 from the Ahmadu Bello University being his highest qualification. The former Vice-President also attached tax returns indicating that he had paid N10.8m in tax from 2015 to 2017 while declaring his income within the period as N60.2m. Almost 80 out of the 91 political parties will present presidential candidates during the 2019 Presidential elections. A vi...

Poor results occasioned by internal wranglings, player versus manager row, manager versus player row, buck passing, negative energy. Surely that is the order of the day at Old Trafford. It definitely has to be. The fact is that football has really evolved and players have become even more powerful than ever now. Manchester United gaffer, Jose Mourinho would definitely have that ego clash with Paul Pogba. Pogba loves all the attention, he is 'African' and has so much swag. Mourinho equally loves it when he is 'the news'. Now there is a very huge difference in 'being in the news' and 'being the news'. I bet we get that right? Sure we do. So back to Jose and Pogba, it surely is a big issue but the solution is FREE! Before I get to the solution however, take a look at this particular scenario. United were two goals down to Newcastle United in a Premier League match and it really seemed nothing could be done. However, at halftime, Manchester United ...