Call Dogara to order, Gbajabiamila group tells Buhari

Members of the House of Representatives who are in support of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday evening appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and members of his group to order.

They accused the All Progressives Congress’ members on the side of Dogara of allegedly colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party to polarise the ruling party to give room for them to later defect to the PDP.

This was one of the issues they raised when they met with Buhari behind closed-doors at the Conference Hall of the First Lady’s Office inside the Presidential Villa on Wednesday evening.

Copies of their presentation to the President were made available to journalists at the end of the meeting also attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The 30 lawmakers who attended the meeting on behalf of their colleagues were led by Gbajabiamila.

They said the President’s intervention was needed in order to save the party’s integrity.

They demanded that Dogara be asked to return to their fold and announce the other four principal officers positions in the House as directed by the party as it has always been the convention.

They said, “It is noteworthy that Mr. President and the governors had strongly put their weight behind the party and had severally admonished the House to abide by the party’s position.

“The 39 APC members in the House continue to collude with the PDP to flagrantly disobey Mr. President, the governors and the party with a view to bringing the party and government to ridicule before Nigerians.

“The conduct of the 39 APC members colluding with the PDP is tantamount to affront, ultimately targeted at polarising our party so as to give room for many of them to decamp to the PDP.

“It is therefore imperative for Mr. President to take a stand and save the integrity of the party by calling to order, the 39 members, which include the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, to respect, honour and obey our party Leaders and their directives.

“In conclusion, Mr. President, we as loyal party members shall continue to abide by the party constitution, respect and honour our party leaders and their directives.

“We strongly appeal to you to direct the Speaker to return to our fold and be truly elected Speaker on APC platform. He should be directed to announce the other four party principal officers positions as directed by the party as it has always been the convention.

“We sincerely appreciate Mr. President for the audience trusting in his ability to successfully mediate so as to save our great party, the APC, from further embarrassment.”

The lawmakers said while Gbajabiamila and the party’s choice for the position of Deputy Speaker had openly congratulated Dogara and his deputy, the opposition and the 39 APC members continued to hold the APC leadership in contempt.

They wondered what would be the reward of the 174 of them that have remained obedient and loyal to the party.

While noting that the Speaker’s group had cited the Federal Character principle as the reason why they will not honour the party’s directive on the choice of the remaining principal officers, the lawmakers said that principle was not applicable to the National Assembly.

“It should be noted that the Federal Character principle as embedded in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is not justiciable and of no legal consequence.

“Its provision in S.14 of the Constitution is only applicable to appointments in Federal Ministries and Agencies.

“The House of Representatives is not an agency of the Federal government and the principal officers’ positions are elective and not by appointment.

“If the Federal Character is applicable to the National Assembly, then both the Senate President and the Speaker cannot come from the North, one of them should be advised to step down,” they argued.

Gbajabiamila later told State House correspondents that he led the lawmakers who belong to the APC caucus to meet with the President in order to iron out the issues that had arisen since June 9 and find a way forward.

He described the meeting as a very successful one, saying the APC caucus and the party would come out bigger, stronger and better for it.

When asked what the President told them, Gbajabiamila said Buhari is a party man who believes in party supremacy and the party’s ideologies.

When asked why Dogara would be absent at the meeting when he claimed that it was for APC caucus, the lawmaker said the Speaker could have other engagements.

He said, “The Speaker probably has other engagements. There are a few members of the caucus that are not here. We could not get everybody here.

“This is a representation of the caucus. When we are talking about the caucus, we are talking about 210 members. You did not find all the members here.

“This is a representation of the 210 members.”

When reminded that all those who attended are members of his camp, Gbajabiamila said, “It is not about me and we need to get that clear. Yes, they voted for me but the idea is that they supported the party.

“That is who we are and there is nothing more to be said about that. It is not about any individual.”

When also asked the way forward after the meeting with the President, the lawmaker said the party’s will would be done.

He said the sooner all lawmakers recognised the fact that they did not get to the House as independent candidates, the sooner they would chart a way forward.

Olamide stole the Shakitibobo dance from me - Upcoming artist Olowu Taiwo (LT)

An upcoming Nigerian artistes named LT with the real name Olowu Taiwo, has told HipTV that Olamide stole the ‘Shakitibobo’ dance from him.

According to LT, “After I did my video, a friend of mine told me the dance I did in the video (Yobo dance) was trending on Instagram by Olamide. And my friend told me he had already told someone who is in Olamide’s crew about the dance. I released the audio version of my own song on 22nd April, 2015, and Olamide released his own song on 2nd May.”

“During that time, I was working on my viral video which I released on 6th May. It wasn’t up to 24 hours after that, I saw Shakiti Bobo, I was like, what’s going on; why is this happening at this particular time.
I’m not here to point fingers that someone stole my dance moves, but I feel it’s not cool for you to do something that you knew about from someone else, and pick it up as your own” LT added.

36 dead after boat capsizes in the Philippines

A boat carrying 173 passengers has capsized in the central Philippines, minutes after leaving port.

The local Coast Guard reported that at least 36 people have died, with 118 survivors, and 19 people still missing, according to CNN affiliate, CNN Philippines.

The MB Nirvana had just departed Ormoc City, Leyte Province bound for Pilar town on Camotes Island, east of Cebu at around 12 pm local time Thursday when the disaster occurred.

The boat, which was 27 meters long, was barely 200 meters from the shore line, according to Philippine Coast Guard Lieutenant Christopher Ganet.

He said those who have been rescued are being taken to local hospitals in the area around Ormoc.

Egypt’s Brotherhood urges revolt after members killed

The Muslim Brotherhood has warned of “serious repercussions” and has called on its supporters to “rise in revolt” after Egyptian police killed several of its members.

Egyptian police raided an apartment in the Cairo suburb of 6th of October on Wednesday and killed at least nine of the outlawed group’s leading members, including a former member of parliament, Nasser al-Hafy, security sources and a member of the group said.

The Brotherhood members were reportedly meeting to discuss sponsoring the families of detainees when the police stormed the building.

Egypt’s interior ministry, however, said the men were fugitive leaders who were plotting attacks – something the group denies – and said the group included two men who had previously been sentenced to death.

Jilted job seeker bathes ex-lover with acid

The police in Lagos have arrested a man, Paul Nwokobia, for allegedly pouring acid on his ex-lover, Rosemary Nnaife, in the Surulere area of the state.

 Nwokobia, who was arrested by policemen from the Itire division, was apprehended along with three of his friends ─ who were identified as accomplices.

Rosemary, whose head to waist was damaged by the acid, was presently receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba.

 Nwokobia, said to be a job seeker, met Rosemary in 2011, and the duo had been courting until September 2014 when they separated.

It was gathered that Nwokobia, said to have no identifiable job, had allegedly been sending threat messages to Rosemary to come back to him, but the latter reportedly refused.

Former abia governor claims Petition against him is baseless

Former governor of Akwa Ibom state, now a Senator, Godswill Akpabio has responded to a petition filed against him to the EFCC for abuse of public trust and alleged gross misappropriation of Akwa Ibom tax payers funds via a statement. Read below...

The immediate past governor of Akwa ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio has described the petition of alleged corruption against him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as  false and baseless .

Speaking through Mr Aniekan Umanah who served him as Information and Communications Commissioner, Akpabio, who is currently in the Senate representing Akwa Ibom North East said he was responding to the petition by one Barr. Leo Ekpenyong with great sadness.

Senator Akpabio however stated that rather than condemning Ekpenyong for taking this course of action,  he is grateful to God that the petition is an opportunity to clear a lot of misconceptions and horrendous lies,  those opposed to his(Akpabio’)s emergence and leadership of the state had fed the rumour mill in Akwa Ibom State.

Senator Akpabio observed that  the petition betrays a lack of understanding of the workings of government, noting that,  every sum withdrawn from a government account is tied to a subhead and a budgetary provision, explaining that, attributing fraud to withdrawals, which had the full sanction of Government, and was accommodated in the budget is mischievous.
On amounts bandied by the petitioner as the gross earnings of Akwa Ibom under Akpabio, the former governor disputed the claims arguing that,  the idea that the Akwa Ibom State Government received over N2.5 trillion (or N3 trillion) in the eight years of his administration is an outrageous lie.

  Such claim, he said would mean the state received an average of N26 billion monthly, which he faulted, harping that, Published accounts of disbursement from the Federation Accounts,  corroborate the evidence that Akwa Ibom State never received up to N26 billion in any month throughout his tenure,  adding that, in some months like April and May, 2015, Akwa Ibom State received about N8 billion only.

On the allegation of owning various houses in Abuja, Lagos and other countries,  Senator Akpabio described the allegation as false maintaining that, ownership of the said houses can be verified from Lagos State Land  Registry as well as from the land registry in Abuja respectively.

 Senator Akpabio also cleared the air on owning any property in Ghana or in St. Kitts & Nevis, and  challenged  anybody to prove the contrary. Explaining that, he was invited to attend the inauguration of the current President of Ghana as a member of the Presidential delegation from Nigeria alongside many other Governors and Nigerians who were on the delegation, Akpabio disclosed that, he was also invited to attend the 30th Independence Day celebration of St. Kitts and Nevis by the then Prime Minister who visited the State on a working trip to Nigeria, and wondered how simply visiting a country could translate into owning properties there.

While dismissing allegations of picking the leadership of ALGON and owning shares in Julius Berger, Senator Akpabio said contracts awarded followed due process and charged his traducers to acknowledge his track record of performance, visible and landmark achievements in office rather than finding faults where there is none, regretting that, the opposition have, in their desperation and frustration, crossed the line of decorum, truth and decency with their torrents of propaganda and blackmail.

World Bank approves $200m for Lagos

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved $200m credit to Lagos State to support a range of reforms pertaining to fiscal sustainability, budget planning, budget execution, and the investment climate in Lagos, Nigeria.


A statement issued by the bank on Wednesday said the operation would help sustain the state’s recent economic growth and poverty reduction while continuing to deliver social services to the city’s expanding population.


The credit from the International Development Association segment of the World Bank Group supports the Third Lagos State Development Policy Operation, is the last of a series of two development policy operations which aim to improve public finances and the investment climate in a fiscally sustainable manner.

In the past decade Lagos State achieved significant economic growth, improved its infrastructure and services, significantly reduced crime, and brought millions of people out of poverty, the bank said.

World Bank Task Team Leader for this Project, Jariya Hoffman, said with enhanced budget transparency and efficiency, adequate funding can be shifted to programmes to benefit the state’s booming population, especially the poorest families.

He said, “The operation’s focus on furthering improvements in the transparency of the budget system, effectiveness of public expenditures, and the business climate will help sustain the pace of economic growth and thus the state’s positive momentum towards income equality and the delivery of public services.”

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie-Francoise Marie-Nelly, said, “This operation is designed to assist Lagos State in its quest to continue its recent success in spite of the challenges brought on by rapid economic and population growth.

“As an urban agglomeration that has reduced income inequality during double digit economic growth, Lagos is an example of inclusive growth in Nigeria. If the Lagos experience is sustained, there is strong potential for this type of inclusive growth to spread to other parts of Nigeria.”

The operation will enhance the state government’s fiscal sustainability by anchoring the budget in a framework that accounts for key fiscal risks and improves revenue collection. Support for adopting a new approach to budget planning and preparation will ensure adequate allocation of budgetary resources to social services such as education and health.

Support for reforms of budget execution including increased operation of the Oracle-based Financial Management System as well as reform of public procurement, will create greater transparency and efficiency in the use of budget resources, the bank said.

It added that in addition to budgetary improvements, the project’s support for a reduction in the cost of land transactions as well as the development and introduction of an electronic web-based system for processing of planning permits would help to improve the business climate and attract new investments.

Photo: Kano road traffic agency arrests Donkey for causing traffic in the state

Lol this is so crazy....well what can I say

Balling!!! Naija Boy spends N5million on drinks in a Lagos club in 1 Night (PHOTOS)

King Jide aka the Mayor of Capetown spent N5million on 30 Ace of Spades and 1 Dom Perignon at Cova lounge in Lagos last Sunday June 29th and one of his buddies shared the receipt on instagram.  See a pic of the man below on dreads...

Arabian monarch pledges his $32 billion fortune to charity

The nephew of the late King Abdullah, Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, has been so successful in business that he is sometimes referred to as the Arabian Warren Buffett, after the US billionaire. 

Alwaleed who made billions investing in American, European and Middle Eastern companies is donating his $32 billion fortune to philanthropy, according to a statement released Wednesday.

The prince with his ex wife Ameerah

Alwaleed said he wants his money to go to humanitarian causes after his death. The release did not identify specific efforts, but said the board of trustees at Alaweed Philanthropies, which he currently heads, will craft a plan to spend the money on initiatives related to healthcare, education and poverty. 

"Philanthropy is an intrinsic part of my Islamic faith," Alwaleed said in the press release. "With this pledge, I am honoring my life-long commitment to what matters most, helping to build a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world for generations to come."

Forbes ranks Alwaleed at the 34th richest person in the world. His major investments have included Twitter and Citigroup, as well as media companies like Time Warner (CNN's parent company) and Disney. 

The business magnate said he has already funneled $3.5 billion to his charity for initiatives such as housing, gender equality and disaster relief. Alwaleed Philanthropies has also established centers and programs at several prestigious universities, including Harvard and Cambridge and partnered with charities like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 
Alwaleed's press release from Wednesday quotes Gates saying, 

"Prince Alwaleed's generous commitment promises to significantly extend the great work that his foundation is already doing." 

For those worried how he will manage if he gives away all his money, the prince will be holding on to his publicly-listed investment business.

"This is very much separate from my ownership in Kingdom Holding," the prince said at the announcement.

Kingdom Holding, of which the prince is the majority shareholder, has holdings in a number of businesses, including banking and financial services, property businesses, media companies and internet and technology firms.

The prince has been married four times and has children. 

Man poses as importer, defrauds trader of N10m

A member of a syndicate, Festus Anyaere, has been arrested for allegedly conniving with seven others at large to defraud a trader, Temitope Ibitoye, of N10m.

It was gathered that the 33-year-old suspect had sometime in February 2012 approached Ibitoye in the Ebute Ero Market, parading himself as an importer of stoves and other household items.

Chris Brown files paternity and child custody documents for daughter

Chris Brown who has been spending so much time with his daughter Royalty, says he has had it with his baby mama Nia Guzman's child support and custody demands, so he's asking a judge to intervene.

Chris and Nia have been at war over 1-year-old Royalty for a long time now. She's demanding $15k a month in child support, but Chris Brown doesn't think it is a fair amount.

Due to this reason, he has filed legal documents in Houston to establish paternity of baby Royalty. That will give him the right to fight Nia over support and custody.

Chis who has been paying Nia $2,500  per month, believes it is a fair amount. If he ascertains that he is Royalty's father, he will then go to court to file for custody and a fair amount for child support to Nia.
He says Nia has been denying him the right to see his daughter, so he wants a judge to get involved and set guidelines for both of them

PDP rejects new INEC boss, Amina Zakari

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the appointment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Zakari was appointed as the acting boss of the commission on Tuesday by President Muhammadu Buhari following the conclusion of the term of office of Prof. Attahiru Jega.




The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, who conveyed the appointment in a letter, said the appointment was with effect from 30th June 2015 until the appointment of a substantive Chairman.

But before her appointment was announced, Jega had handed over to Amb. Mohammed Wali, a national commissioner of the commission from Sokoto State.

While rejecting the appointment of Zakari, the PDP alleged that the new acting boss of the electoral body “is too close to the Presidency.”

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated his party’s position at a crowded press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Metuh said his party would want the acting chairman of the commission to state her alleged closeness to the Presidency and one of the governors of the All Progressives Congress from the North-West.

Don Jazzy Is A Proud Dad

Don Jazzy is a very very happy father today. 

The hit producer who signed 3 new artistes to his MAVIN label just a year or two ago, is now expressing how proud he is of his "kids".

See what Don Jazzy had to say after the jump:

The message reads "Congrats to my 3 Mavin kids @ReekadoBanks @KoredeBello @AphroDija on their endorsements. Welcome 2 d multi million side of life #SMD". "Now I can proudly say Mavin builds brands and not just artists. #Na Godwin #SMD"

The endorsement Don Jazzy is referring to is the Glo Ambassador endorsements all 3 Mavin kids have acquired.

Proud of you Don Jazzy for breeding these new ones well, and congratulations again to all 3 Mavin kids!

Onazi apologises to NFF

Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has formally apologised to the Nigeria Football Federation for his action that led to a red card in last month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Chad in Kaduna.

In a letter dated June 30, 2015 and addressed to the NFF General Secretary, the SS Lazio midfielder wrote, “Sequel to your letter REF: NFF/OGS/Admin/Vol.V/009, I hereby tender an unreserved apology with respect to my conduct which led to my dismissal in the game against Chad in Kaduna.

“I accept the fact that my act was tantamount to an unacceptable one on the field of play. However, I want to inform you that my action on the pitch was not premeditated and was only a reaction to a violent attack on me by the Chadian player, who hit me from behind while I was standing outside the penalty box.

“In addition, I had tendered an unreserved apology immediately after the match via my official social media accounts, as well as in the traditional media, to my teammates and to Nigerians who felt let down by an act they considered surprising because of my reputation in that regard.

Kylie Jenner and Tyga go funiture shopping for her $2.7m mansion(Photos)

Kylie Jenner and her man Tyga were spotted shopping for furniture as she moved into her $2.7million mansion..She was originally planning to move into her new home when she turned 18, but changed her mind two moths before her 18th birthday .

Kylie and the rapper were spotted shopping at the Westfield Mall in Woodland Hills, California this week with a bodyguard carrying five bags to their luxury car..He was seen driving Kylie's white Range Rover away from the mall as they headed back home.

Rick Ross finally granted bail and released from jail

 

Rick Ross' bond hearing in Fayette County, GA wrapped up yesterday and the judge granted his lawyer's bail request and set his release once he paid a $2 million bond which Ross was able to pay.

He got - $1 million equity from the ex-Holyfield mansion he owns, and another GA property, $500,000 surety bond (from a bail bondsman) and $500k in cold hard cash.

Ross' attorney also promised his client would forfeit the entire Holyfield property (which is worth $5 million) to the county ... if he does anything to obstruct justice or intimidate any witness.

NDLEA might arrest Davido for showcasing hard drugs in new video

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are now investigating Nigerian singer, Davido for showcasing hard drugs in his new music video "Fans Mi".

In the video, there is a scene where we see Davido discussing with a man over a briefcase of dollars and a bag full of parcels of hard drugs.

Speaking on the decision to put Davido under investigation, NDLEA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju said in a mail exchange with Sunday Telegraph, “The agency considers the musical video ‘Fans Mi’ inappropriate and indecent. It has the tendency to negatively influence and induce drug use and trafficking. Besides, it is counter-productive on the campaign against drug production, trafficking and abuse. The agency is investigating the matter and will take necessary action".

They ended by saying that this may be the end of his musical career because if he is found guilty of promoting hard drugs, he WILL be arrested.

Fani-Kayode changes name

Following his discharge and acquittal of money laundering charges on Wednesday by a Federal High Court in Lagos, a former Minster of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has changed his name.

Fani-Kayode, who read a prepared speech outside the courtroom shortly after Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia set him free, said his trial which began in 2008 had almost destroyed his life, his family and his reputation.

He said he would be changing his name by dropping his surname “Fani-Kayode” as a mark of honour and respect for the Lord and as a testimony of God’s love towards him.

He said, “The whole process almost destroyed my life, my family, my reputation, my health and my career. I thank God for His goodness, His mercy and for the fact that today the whole nightmare has finally come to an end.”

He added, “As a mark of honour and respect for the Lord and as an everlasting testimony of my love for and dedication to Him, I wish to make it known to the Nigerian public that as from today my name will be changed.

“It will no longer be David Olufemi Fani-Kayode but instead, it shall be David Olufemi Olukayode.”

Barcelona Under UEFA Investigation for Champions League Final Banners

Barcelona may begin their Champions League defence with a fine and partial stadium closure after UEFA reportedly opened proceedings against their supporters’ political use of banners and chants during last month’s final victory over Juventus.

According to Publico AS, the Blaugrana could be handed a €50,000 fine and face a “partial closure of a part of the stands at the Camp Nou for the first Champions League match of next season.” This is due to “the airing of independence chants and the massive presence of stellate flags” during Barca’s 3-1 win over Italian champions Juventus in Berlin.

This situation arrives on the cusp of Barcelona’s presidential elections, led by current chief Josep Maria Bartomeu and former president Joan Laporta. The latter’s campaign fiercely promotes the city becoming independent from Spain.

“My project is catalanista and committed to the idea of it being a country in every sense,” said Laporta, per Moises Llorens of AS. “If Catalunya becomes independent Barca won’t be lost in the world. We’re committed to the process of Catalunya becoming independent.”

UEFA’s alleged investigation comes after Barca and Athletic Bilbao fans booed the Spanish national anthem during May’s Copa del Rey final.

“The Government condemns the attacks against symbols that represent Spaniards and the democracy and and harmony they all share,” read an official statement, reported Sport. This issue is set to be discussed at the next National Commission Against Violence in Sport meeting, where the public display of pro-Catalan and pro-Basque values will be an important subject

Ebola: Remain vigilant, doctors warn Nigerians

Public health physicians have called for more vigilance at the border posts in order to prevent a recurrence of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

The appeal is coming on the heels of the reported return of the disease in two West African countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone, last week.

According to a member of the Ebola Prevention Committee in Nigeria, Dr. Oladoyin Odubanjo, the Federal Government needs to the strengthen the precautionary and screening methods in order to forestall a return of the disease.

Odubanjo noted that proper screening of passengers for the viral disease was a major precautionary measure to prevent a similar scenario where by a Liberian-American diplomat, Patrick Sawyer, imported the disease into Nigeria in 2014.

He said, “We must be on the watch out and learn from our neighbours. Liberia and Sierra Leone reportedly free of EVD are at present recording new cases. We must act now because we have abandoned the strict measures we put in place at the height of the outbreak. Nigeria must know that we cannot let our guards down until every single case of EVD in West Africa is over.”

Bayern Munich Confirm Signing of Shakhtar Donetsk Star Douglas Costa

Bayern Munich have ​confirmed the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk star Douglas Costa, who put pen to paper on a long-term five-year contract in Germany on Wednesday morning.

Shakhtar, who relinquished their stranglehold on the Ukrainian title to Dynamo Kiev in 2014/15, additionally confirmed that the transfer fee will be €30m.

Speaking to ​FCBayern.de about the move, Costa said, “For me, today fulfilled a dream. I am proud now to play at Bayern, where so many famous Brazilians have already played. I look forward to being part of a great team and will do everything to meet the expectations.”

Costa has been with Shakhtar since leaving Gremio in his homeland in 2009. He has enjoyed great success in that time, but has regularly been linked with a move away over the last 12 months.

Last summer, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder was one of a group of players who threatened to quit the club and went AWOL in France while on pre-season tour after violence erupted in and around Donetsk. The situation with the nervous players was later resolved, but was seemingly never fixed completely.

Costa played 22 times for Shakhtar in domestic competitions last season, during what has been a rather testing times for the club and its players given the upheaval caused by the ongoing political strife.

He also made eight Champions League appearances, including both legs against Bayern in the last 16 tie in February and March. Costa helped his side keep the Germans at bay in the first leg, but was helpless as Bayern steamrolled to 7-0 victory in the second. Though some are perhaps sceptical about the level of quality that Costa could add to what is already a world class attacking unit at the Allianz Arena, the player has the support of fellow countryman and former Bayern favourite, Giovane Elber.

The retired striker recent told Bild, “Bayern are always looking forward. We know that Ribery and Robben’s time will eventually be over. And then Bayern has to replace them.

“Douglas can create, but it is not an easy task for him. One hopes, of course, that the boy quickly becomes a hit.”

Scores killed in Indonesian military plane crash

No fewer than 113 people died on Tuesday after an Indonesian air force C-130 plane crashed into a building in city of Medan, on the northern island of Sumatra.

Twelve crew members and 101 passengers, comprising military personnel and their relatives, were reportedly on board of the aircraft. No sooner than the plane took off from an air force base in neighbourhood when it lost control, crashed on the buildings and went up in flames.

The plane was said to be heading for Tanjung Pinang in Sumatra.

The military spokesman, Fuad Basya, told Al Jazeera that the plane took off at around midday local time from an air force base carrying military equipment and crashed in the city about two minutes later, about 5 kilometres from the base.

Police chief of Medan city, Mardiaz Dwihananto, said several bodies had been recovered from the wreckage, noting that the evacuation was still on.

“The bodies were in [the] debris of the plane and buildings… We are taking the bodies one by one by ambulance to Adam Malik hospital. We haven’t managed to evacuate all of the bodies,” he said.

Local radio station, El Shinta, said earlier that the aircraft had hit homes, but it was not immediately clear if anyone inside had been killed or injured.

“This was a C-130 military aircraft on a routine trip, carrying soldiers and their families,” she said.

“The pilot radioed in, saying there was an issue with the plane…he tried to turn back and then the plane went down over Medan. The plane went down in a populated area, hitting two empty buildings. That number could have been much higher,” Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker reported.

The Indonesian military has now opened an official investigation to try and figure out what went wrong.

It is the second time in 10 years that a plane has crashed into a Medan neighbourhood.

In September 2005, a Mandala Airlines Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff from Medan’s Polonia airport, into a crowded residential community, killing 143 people including 30 on the ground.

Medan, with about 3.4 million people, is the third most populous city in Indonesia after the capital Jakarta and Surabaya.