Why EPL is the best in the World at the moment

Messi is the best player but English league is now the best in the World

For long the unique atmosphere, amazing history, star players, high technology, good refereeing, mega billion signings, big–name coaches, expensive coverage rights, and the great competition of the English League have been second to none. 

Yesterday, the 2019 full Ballon D’or results have shown that Premier League is now back to its very best. Despite Lionel Messi’s winning a historic 6^th crown, the Barclays Premier league is the best in the World. 

These are some of the reasons why BPL is currently back to the best in the World in 2019 after years of dominance by Liga Stars – Particularly, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whom have teared the last decade.

1.     Ballon D’or best players

In the 30 man best players list, Liverpool alone have 7 players, which is almost as much as the number of players recorded from German Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie League, French Ligue I and Italian Seria A all combined.

5 English Champions, Manchester City players made the list, along with a double from Tottenham and one lone player from Arsenal. Half of the top 30 best players in the World play in England.

Only Spanish Premiera League came close to the Premier league, with 7 players from Barcelona, Real and Atletico. 60% of the World’s top ten players belong to Manchester City & Liverpool.

2.     Liverpool and Van Dijk’s record

Lionel Messi won the Ballon D’or for recording 54 goals for home and country in the 2018-2019, but Virgil Van Dijk have helped Liverpool to European successes with a masterpiece of defending. It was the first time a Defender came close to winning the Ballon D’or in a decade and a half.

In 2016, Fabio Cannavaro led his Italian side to a World cup win. Van Dijk came second, challenging Cristiano Ronaldo, the man with 5 Ballon D’or to a very rare 3^rd place.

Alisson Becker won the Yachine award as the best keeper. At 21, Trent Alexander-Arnold who made history in double champions league finals was voted as the 19^th best player. 

3.     European giant’s double duel

It was the first time ever that four Premier League teams will meet in both European cup finals. Liverpool clashed with Tottenham in the Champions League final, likewise Arsenal was beaten by London Rivals Chelsea. Liverpool and Chelsea went to play a thrilling UEFA Super cup in August.

2019 has proved how strong EPL teams are after Liverpool dumped Barcelona in a dramatic second tie. 

4.     Top Coaches

Jurgen Klopp won the FIFA best Coach of the year in 2019, after his success at Europe including coming from 3 goals down to eliminate Lionel Messi’s Barcelona. Other big name Managers in the EPL include top Champions like Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, and Manuel Pellegrini.

The Premier League hosts many of the best Coaches in the game at the moment. 

5.     Spending spree

In the last transfer summer window, English clubs splashed over $1.7 billion on new players. Arsenal, Manchester City, and United alone spent close to £450m. Other notable spenders include Tottenham, Everton, and Aston Villa. Man United bough the most expensive defender in history.

The Premier League is way above other Leagues in spending, Spanish Liga came second after 2019 summer transfer of $1.3 billion. It was the first time to exceed £1 billion spending in Spain.

This post first appeared on Opera News, by Muhammad Malumfashi

Where is Dadiyata? by Ameenu Kutama

Where is Dadiyata? 

 

Early Friday morning, at about 1:00am as the entire country was in the final stages of its retirement to bed to refresh from the struggles that come with the larger part of the blessed day, a true son of the nation, Abubakar Idris (Abu Hanifa Dadiyata) was also retiring into his Barnawa residence in Kaduna, after his usual shuttle from Dutsinma in Katsina State, where he is a Lecturer, was bundled into his car by some agents of doom, said to be three by his wife who was witness to the kidnap. Dadiyata was subsequently whisked away from the impending warm embrace of his family into the dark clouds of mystery. 

More than 40 days later, Abubakar’s whereabouts is still unknown and neither has his BMW Car been seen to date.Pursuing his doctorate degree in Political Communication, Mr Abubakar is a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, a Mass Communication Graduate of Bayero University Kano, he also holds a Masters degree in same field from a University in Malaysia. Known for his fierce criticism of the APC, especially in Kano and Kaduna, he is a well-known, staunch supporter of the opposition PDP, particularly the Kwankwasiyya movement on cyberspace, especially twitter. Dadiyata had been previously subject to life threats but he only opened up to his closest acquaintances (as he prefers to refer to his friends) until tragedy finally struck.

Since his abduction, efforts have been on by his family and friends to establish his whereabouts, but to no avail. Dozens of petitions submitted to the Police and DSS, protests have been held, calls have been made, but apparently to no avail. Such lackadaisical reaction, coupled with his ideological and political antecedent led to the allegation that his abduction is state sponsored. The People’s Democratic Party National Publicity Chairman said, “There are already public insinuations that Dadiyata’s abduction to an unknown destination is not unconnected with an apparent desperation to intimidate, supress and silence public speech in Nigeria as well as to further entrench a siege mentality on our country”. But the allegations have been already denied by the Police and DSS. “Unfortunately, this does not look like the conventional kidnapping we know”. The Kaduna State Police Spokesman, Abubakar Sabo told the Premium Times.

With the authorities apparently not much interested, this case puts our intelligence hardware very much in question. A father of two, Abu Hanifa’s family have been left at mercy of prayers and some concerted effort of his friends to get their son back. In a recent interview with Premium Times, his wife was quoted as saying; “The children have been asking about their daddy, the police are telling us they would their best and we have not been able to get anything more than that from them”. 

Strong doubt has also been cast over the effort put by Dadiyata’s political leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in ensuring the release of his ardent follower from his present ordeal, but in a series of press releases by him and the Kano State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, both have reiterated their commitment to his travail and made series of pledges that they would ensure his release. It remains to be seen what the authorities would do in ensuring his safety and the fulfilment of the pledge made by his political leaders to ensure his release. I therefore call on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to stand up for one of their members and apply more pressure on the Government, his employers also need to break the ice and ensure that one of their staff members goes back to his students. 

While that ensues, we continue to ask the authorities #WhereIsDadiyata and solicit for people to continue praying for an end to his travail.  

Ameenu Kutama writes from Kano, Nigeria.     

     

The giant NextLevel three and half a dozen Cabinet!

Congratulations to our new 43 Ministers

By M. Malumfashi

My friend from the other side of the Country asked me, “What is your take on these new Ministers?” My response, I will write about it. This is what I think about the new government that happens to be large this time around, unusual of our austerian President who just made a record of being a Petroleum Minister three times in Nigeria - beating Diezani Madukwe and Late Rilwan Luqman.

Congratulations to our Honorable Ministers. Let me first congratulate Mr. President for having a cabinet just about 6 months, after winning the Presidential election. Improvement from 2015 and far better than the 20 State Governors who have still not yet named their cabinet in late August.  Then let me appeal that please none of you Ministers should resign this time to take a UN Post or become an Emir in his village. Some people will even try to contest for Governors in few months. Please you know it is not easy for Baba to replace anyone in the FEC. It took months and even years in some case, to replace members of the FEC in the last tenure.

When I first saw the list I showed a friend a rare of picture of Alhaji Sabo Na Nono, seeing the nature and position of his cap, my Kano brother who have never heard the name, told me, that is our Next Minister of Agriculture. Which post do you give to a man whose last active duty was before I was born, someone said. We were right!  George Akume will head the Special Duties Ministry that has been brought back to life again. I was expecting the Benue man to take the Interior Ministry, not only because of the recent troubles in the middle belt, he has before held similar roles before his former PDP kicked him out of the Senate.

When Rauf Aregbesola told his staff that he doesn’t know anything about his new Ministry, I was proved right. It is like Ogbeni learnt little from the retreat series that were held in the Aso Villa. But take a look at it, why forward a large name of people to some of their former colleagues to be appointed Ministers without knowing their designated portfolio? That was why one Lady Senator asked a nominee what he would do if appointed the next Women’s Minister, she said the man looks handsome, so could fit? Until the day of inauguration, Aregbesola had no idea about the functions of Interior Ministry. This is what we call short-gun exercise in the University. The lecturer hits you with a bullet unexpected. Ogbeni Aregbe, you have no cause to worry, I heard the last thing your predecessor did in that Ministry was to announce dates for public holidays.

Even though I may find that unfair, I still believe the former Internal-Affairs Minister who considering his antecedent, should have done better. People were relieved to see him and the Ex Defense Minister ousted. Major General Bashir Magashi from his presentation at NASS should first do something about the long-standing service chiefs, the Army ranks have been messed up for a while now and the fights have extended to the police. Again now we have a Ministry of police affairs once again. Like a new post have been created for his neighbor Sadiya Umar Faruk. 

What caught the attention of many was Festus Keyamo appointed a junior to Godswill Akpabio. Keyamo before now was an Attorney who was after Akpabio – accused by EFCC of diverting Akwa Ibom's N110 billion. But you know his sins have been washed away and he now give commands to his former prosecutor. Sorry that is the only way to the Next Level. May be Timipre Sylva and Akpabio would have been better in the Niger Delta Ministry. But Buhari went for a man who the first thing you read about him on “google” is on EFCC’s seizure of his 48 houses in Abuja as Nigeria’s Jr. Petrol Minister; He may still to contest for Governor in Bayelsa in few days. The last time it didn’t end so well with a brilliant Ibe Kachikwu. I am happy for Kano, Kaduna and Katsina who have a total of 6 big Ministries; Petroleum, Aviation, Finance and National Planning, Environment, Defense and Agriculture. That is what 3.5 million votes gets you in 2019.

I personally wanted Babatunde Fashola to deal with the power wahala, as a brilliant Lawyer that he is, Fashola studied the power sector in few weeks after assuming power, now he’s been relieved that post, I wish Saleh Mamman and his Cross-River colleague all the best. If you were on Twitter, you must have observed how Adamu Adamu trended after the news of his reappointment. He was trained Accountant, later turned Journalist, today he is an Education Minister. The Honorable Minister said it took him about 18 months to understand his Ministry, you just can’t waste all that effort and replace him overnight with a strange man. Working with him this time around is not a Professor but a Lawyer – turned politician, Buhari made sure the Junior Education Minister comes from Imo even when you have a former UBEC Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Mahmud and Maryam Katagum on the list. The new Education II Minister defected to APC hours after he was announced a Minister. Not bad for a man who will still lose his seat in Court. Well!

Rotimi Amaechi, Zainab Shamsuna, Abubakar Malami, Hadi Sirika, Lai Mohammed, Ogbonoya Onu, Chris Ngige, Geoffrey Onyeama, Sulaiman Adamu Tunde Fashola have all retained their seats. Dr. Onu have a second chance to see Nigeria start making pencils soon. He is lucky, his former colleague cried he never had a second chance at just 72 years. I just have few problems, Ngige said he doesn’t know what he will do differently this time, just keep negotiating, and we may have a new Minimum wage finally in 2020. As for Lai, what will he finally tell that his grand child? Hadi Sirika is now a full Minister like his former Boss. Malami like other recent AGF have had controversies. Shamsuna have a bigger role this time around, not only that Nigeria keeps borrowing every day under her, she will be responsible for National Budgeting, with the hope of changing the fiscal cycle. Geoffrey Onyeama is that well gentleman who is our top External affairs officer, I wish he could just be more aggressive like NIDCOM’s Abike Dabir and carry few pens in his pocket.

Only 7 of the Ministers are women; Gbemisola Saraki, Sharon Ikeazor, Paul Tallen and Ramatu Aliyu who will now assist Muhammad Bello in his job of welcoming and saying goodbyes to Mr. President in Abuja airport frequently. Tough job! I am keen to see Niyi Adebayo in his big office. Dr. Osagie Enahire has been promoted to a full Health Minister, he has learnt from his former Boss who asked Doctors to go back to tailoring business. Sunday Dare will surely know if Argentina is a club or Country while Zubairu Dada who his people believe is a PDP mole will work with Onyeama. Someone like Dr. Isa Pantami is just the right man in the right place. All the best.

Now my friend has been missing for the past 3 weeks, which Minister will be in charge of finding Dadiyata? #WhereIsDadiyata? #PrayForDadiyata! #WeAreAllDadiyata!!

Welcome Next Level Ministers, yes, Welcome!

Muhammad Malumfashi is on Twitter @m_malumfashi

20 years without Dr. Mamman Shata Katsina

REMEMBERING THE GREAT MAMMAN SHATA  

 

Late Alhaji (Dr) Mamman Shata Katsina, if you’d ask me, I’ll say he’s the best ever! He was.

He was born in the year 1922 in Musawa village of Katsina state. Mamman Shata got his famous & unique nickname from his kolanut & sweets’ sales, one man ‘Magaji’ was the first to call him Sha-ta (meaning lick-it, the sweets). Since from that time Shata started to sing at just 14 in 1936. his father Yaro Ibrahim objected vehemently. Yaro, the father had to surrender to see Shata go on to became one of the greatest of men, lived almost 80 years with over 50 years of that to ganga & kalangu music. It’s equally good to add that he was a very good dancer.

Dr. Shata married his 1st wife in 1947 and had his first daughter, a year later. He was to later marry a lot of women. At that time he died he left 3 wives, about 20 children and a lot of grandchildren. Shata Katsina lived in Funtua till his death, prior to that, he lived in Kano around mid-1940s and then between 1954-1959, once lived a while in Daura city, northern Katsina, he enjoyed a very good relationship with Late the Emir of Daura, Muhammadu Bashar even before he became emir, after then at times Shata celebrate Durbar or Gani festivals in Daura. Dr. Shata lived some times in Lagos, in Obalande area. 

Apart from Emir Bashar, who Shata regarded as someone a father, Late Shata also enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Late Muhammad Adamu Dankabo (Jarma of Kano), Alhaji Garban Bichi (who was close with his father, Yaro), again Mammada Dan Sambo (A super-rich farmer and businessman). Mamman Shata also enjoyed a decent relationship with other singers of his time, like, Dan-Kura, who became one of his band-boys. Shehu Ajilo, who at a time became his in-law. Dan-Maraya Jos, known as ‘Garkuwan Shata’, and Barmani Coge, etc.

Mamman Shata songs touched almost every area, of religion, military, national development, Culture & values, nature, life, lifestyle, erotica, a lot, lot & lot. Shata have sung for women, students, young men, white men, leaders, all, you have it. Shata made songs for everything from Beans cake (Wainar rogo), to a Dog (Karen malam Lalo), crocodile (Kadan Musawa), tuo, suya, even dead forests, name it. That’s what happens when you do your work with passion. All this is worth to say, the Late Shata Katsina never writes a song, he makes them on the stand. He only had Islamiyya scholarship and no sound basic modern knowledge. In an interview, he said he has about 40 albums, in each estimated no less than 200 songs, which was still when he was in the business, besides that most of the songs were not even recorded before. From Imri Al-Qays of Pre-Islamic Arabia to Micheal Jackson, to 2-pacs and Jay-Z, it is difficult to find an Artist with over 10, 000 songs to his name.

Quite a number of Shata’s music were recorded. Late Shata was much travelled and so experienced, travelled to several African states since in the 40’s; Maradi, Yemai (Niamey). In 1954 he visited Ouagadougou, Abidjan, Kumasi, Ankara, Cotonou, Lome, and Saudi for pilgrimage in 1956. He went to the United Kingdom in 1989, same year he visited the U.S. Dr. Shata received several awards: National award, Member of the Order of Niger (MON) in October 1975. Shata also received honorary doctorate degree from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from the department of Nigerian languages & culture by veteran Professor Dalhatu Muhammad in 1988. On that day, the late musician sang the whole night in his academic gown with joy all over in Samaru-Zaria. In 2014 Shata was among those honored by the Nigerian government with Centenary award by the Nigerian Government.

Dr. Shata participated in politics, one way, or another, since the 1st republic, he joined the NEPU before being persuaded by the ‘Sarakai’ to dump the Progressive opposition for the elite NPC. After the coup of 1966, he went back home, his village Musawa. During the 2nd republic he joined the GNPP party at first, later on, left for the NPC-re incarnated ruling NPN, served the office of councilor in his ward. Similarly when the ban on politics was lifted after military interventions, he joined the SDP occupying an office in the party, which later had to vacate for some reasons. The last time he performed was at the Katsina state government house in 1999, shortly after Ummaru Yaradua won the gubernatorial election, which was the last moment. A lot of people enjoyed from his goodwill, his relatives, close associates, even ex-wives and every other body including us today. Shata died in Kano on Friday 18th June 1999, and was buried in Daura, the city of his own ‘Mamman Bashari.’

Today, 18th June means Shata left us exactly 20 years ago, on a Friday! May his soul continue to rest in peace. 

Allah ya jikan Sarkin wakan duk duniya!

Ance ba a jam'i nayi. Sarkin kidan duk duniyar nan. Ko taba Jin mawaki kamar Alhaji Mamman Shata? Ina yake...? Wanene wanen? -

Muhammad Malumfashi tweets from @m_malumfashi, writes from everywhere. 

First published years ago.