Russia intensifies efforts to take full control of Donbas as U.S., others rally to suspend Russia from U.N. Human Rights Council

Report from Ukraine suggests that Russian troops “are regrouping and conducting reconnaissance” for an offensive in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in an update on 42nd day of fighting.

Meanwhile, United States and other countries have submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Human Rights Council urging it to suspend Russia.

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, United Nations General Assembly will continue its emergency session to discuss the matter.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the draft resolution mentions reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” as well as “violations of international humanitarian law.”

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada were among the countries that requested that the resolution be considered.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the United States’ ambassador to the United Nations, used photographs from Bucha, Ukraine, in a speech in Romania, advocating for Russia’s suspension from the Human Rights Council.

“We receive devastating reports every day, especially yesterday, about how little they care about human rights. “Russia’s Human Rights Council membership is a farce,” she remarked.

Photos and video of bodies left behind as Russian soldiers departed in Bucha, near Kyiv, have sparked outrage and prompted suspicions that Russian forces committed war crimes. Russia has denied that civilians are being targeted. Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, has alleged that the images were “fabricated.”

2023: Dumebi Kachikwu Declares To Contest For President, Gives 20 Reasons Why He Should Be Elected

2023: Dumebi Kachikwu Declares To Contest For President, Gives 20 Reasons Why He Should Be Elected

Abuja – Media Mogul and Chairman of Roots Television Nigeria, Dumebi Kachikwu, on Wednesday, officially declared his interest to contest for the office of President during the 2023 presidential election.

Apart from revealing that he will be running for office of President on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kachikwu, during a virtual broadcast, titled: “My Opening Argument” on Wednesday, vowed to initiate public service reforms, eliminate corruption and win war against terrorism.

He also promised to ensure that men and women enjoy equal opportunities, welfare for teachers, support technology-driven education and healthcare system to stop medical and education tourism abroad.

He also pledged to eliminate corruption by ensuring that Nigerian workers are paid better salaries, build modern cities and ensure that all nook and cranny of the country have better amenities, world class health facilities and accessible and affordable internet services.

He promised to redirect the vast energies of youths to productive venture like trading with their technological skills rather than engaging in online scams popularly called ‘yahoo yahoo.’

He said if elected President, he will collaborate with state governments to invest in power generation, build broadband internet infrastructure and limit states and private sector to distribution activities only.

Kachikwu outlined 20 reasons why he should be elected the next President of Nigeria, as follows:

  1. A New Deal For Nigerians

“Together we can design a new menu for our people. We will rebuild Nigeria from the ground up and do away with the faulty and archaic colonial foundation that now characterises our current existence. We must define our common charter as Nigerians and constitute a new nation that is not only inclusive for all but guarantees equal rights and expressions to all irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion.
This new Nigeria must come first before any other identification. It will be our common bond as we do away with all colonial relics of division, mistrust and hatred.

“No longer will we engage based on Hausa, Ibo and Yoruba or North and South but on the basis of Nigeria, our only fatherland. We will resist all those who make religion and tribe their mantra. It will no longer be business as usual. We will zone out all proponents of zoning and usher in a Nigeria that promotes merit, character and knowhow above primordial sentiments.”

  1. Make Merit A National Policy

“Every component part of Nigeria is blessed with those who have the talents and abilities to pilot the affairs of Nigeria and we must create the enabling environment for these people to emerge in government and governance. Nigeria will no longer be associated with mediocrity as we will invest in our citizens, our greatest asset. The toga of lazy youths won’t stand as we build the greatest workforce on earth. We must build a workforce that knows today and understands the demands and dictates of tomorrow. We can no longer be in conflict with what we don’t know as we make policy somersaults over modern age financial instruments like bitcoins.”

  1. Make Government Accessible to all Citizens

“We cannot be seen to be banning and unbanning platforms like twitter that define the expression of the modern man. No longer will our citizenry be driven to the dark web and unconventional means of communications as they seek to hide from a repressive Government.
Government is and should be a big brother and not a big bully. Millions of our citizenry still live without light and potable water in the year 2022. This is unconscionable.”

  1. Prioritise Generation and Distribution of Electric Power

“There is no rocket science to generating power, neither is there magic in distributing power. Our debilitating challenges are man-made and we must use an iron fist in crushing those whose decades of evil practice in our public service space have led us to the brink. We will treat those who sabotage our nation and way of life as saboteurs.”

  1. Bar Public Servants from Foreign Medical Treatment, Education for Wards

“We can’t have different rules for different criminals. If you do the crime, you do the time. If given the privilege to lead you my first executive interface with the National Assembly will include a bill, I have dubbed the Nigerian Patriot Act. It is a bill of equality and fairness. It is a bill that says we are all in this together. It is a bill that ensures that public servants cannot use the privileges they cannot provide to the common man.

“If you desire to be in the public service, you must use the same services the masses use. No private or foreign schools for our families, no private or foreign hospitals for us or our families, no generators or boreholes in our homes. If we desire efficient and effective education, healthcare, utilities, etc we must make it available to all so that we may all equally benefit from it.”

  1. Stop Incessant And unprofitable Borrowings by States, Federal Governments

“We must resist the wicked urge to take on sovereign debts that benefit a few but repaid by all. We can no longer borrow to build bridges and highways that lead nowhere when the internet is the highway of the future. Borrowings must satisfy the criteria of commercial viability while providing much needed basic amenities.”

  1. Make Internet Broadband Available and Affordable

“We need governors who understand that the internet is the highway of the future. As you build roads you must build critical broadband infrastructure. We will make broadband available and affordable for all because this is the only leverage our kids have to compete in the new world.

  1. Investment in Power and Telecoms Infrastructure

“I will work with the State Governors on a plan that sees the Federal Government investing in national trunks for power and telecoms while the state governments and private sector participants focus on in state distribution. We will harness all sources of energy to provide power to our people while giving preference to clean energies.”

  1. Modernise Nigerian Cities With State of the Art Amenities

“We must replan our cities and build-out modern infrastructure so as to reverse the rural urban migration that threatens most of our communities. It makes no sense to allow the brain drain occasioned by the migration of the middle class when all they seek is security, jobs, good and affordable homes, healthcare, constant power, etc. I will make these a standard in all our cities.”

  1. Transform Farming into Agribusiness

“Visionless leadership cannot continue to lead our people astray. We must elevate our millions of farmer to
agripreneurs and and transition farming to agribusiness. We will secure our farmlands and protect our men and women from those who seek to do them harm. Our farms will no longer be known as killing fields but the food factory of Africa, providing millions of good paying jobs for the middle class.”

  1. Win War Against Terrorism, Banditry and Kidnapping

“For too long our people have cried. Men and women are being butchered, orphans and widows created by the minute by a war sustained by the greedy who profit from defence contracts and the blood thirsty, who seek to destroy our way of life. We will confront them headlong and destroy them. This war will be fought on our terms. We will arm all the willing and able to rid our nation of foreign invaders. We will take the fight to their camps as we arrest and prosecute their sponsors.

“We will no longer close one flank and leave another flank open for further incursions. The full might of the Nigerian army and the united will of the Nigerian people will confront our enemies. Our army will have clear instructions on what to do to the enemy. Our borders will be closed to all those who seek to harm us because we now know the enemy is the enemy irrespective of religion, tribe and tongue. War is war and Nigeria will win this war.”

  1. Promote Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life

“My administration will revenge the lives of all soldiers and civilians killed. They will pay a huge price for their folly and be told in no uncertain terms that Nigeria is not a no man’s land. This is my promise. The sanctity and dignity of life will be restored under my watch. Ritual killings, trade in body parts and kidnappings have no place in civilised society. We will rid our forests of scam artists masquerading as native doctors who promise riches to the weak and lazy. We will protect our young men and women from these predators.”

  1. Teach Youths How To Trade With the Internet Instead of ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ Scams

“I do understand that the APC government has succeeded in weaponizing poverty and hunger, but we mustn’t let our basic decency as human beings be eroded. If you can use the internet for Yahoo, you can use the internet to trade. We will guide you and teach you the rudiments of digital commerce. We will build technology parks in every senatorial district in Nigeria that will serve as incubation centres for digital jobs, research and development. We are an English-speaking nation and we will use this to our advantage to provide services to people all over the world from the comfort of our homes.”

  1. Stop Brain Drain of Skilled Manpower

“We are the technology generation; technology will be used to leapfrog Nigeria from third world to developed nation. Nigerians are the brains and engine rooms of most nations why can’t they do the same here? No sensible nation allows their best and brightest to leave. We will reverse this ugly trend. Nigeria will work again for everyone.

  1. Make Nigeria Waterfronts International Tourist Destination

“We will turn our hundreds of kilometres of beach front land to international tourist destinations providing jobs to our people and bringing much needed foreign exchange.

  1. Build Modern Healthcare, Education Facilities

“We will build first class hospitals not just for our citizens but for foreigners desiring first class medical services. We will defend our future by sufficiently investing in education. If this generation has missed it, the next generation must get it right. We owe this to ourselves. Our schools will have modern teaching aids and learning systems and our kids equipped with smart devices. We will retrain all our teachers and pay them better because they are our first line of defence. Our women will join us on the table of equality. They will be respected and promoted. They will be afforded the same opportunities men have. If they can do it, they will do it.

17 Promote Arts, Music Industry

“The Arts won’t be mere lip service in my administration. It only makes sense that our movie and music industry are supported. They have made us proud and still make us proud. Investing in and promoting that industry is not only patriotic, but it also makes perfect business sense. The technology exists to correct their decades long problem of distribution and piracy. This we will do.”

18 Eliminate Corruption By Removing Predisposing Factors

“In this new Nigeria we won’t keep on shouting corruption when our very foundation is corrupt. We will engineer systems and processes that ensure that our citizens don’t turn to corruption by default. We will pay a fair pay for hard work. We will no longer cheat our citizens with the ridiculous minimum wage we offer knowing that we leave them no other option but to steal.

  1. Why I want to be President

“My dear Nigerians, I have no money to share to you but my love I will give you. I will always lead in love and by example. I have told your story today because mine is not as important as yours. I am you and you are me. We mustn’t continue to recount the sorrows of yesterday. We will fight for today and defend tomorrow. This we can do. This we must do. This is why I am running for the office of President of Nigeria. It is the office of the Nigerian people. Under my presidency, this office will serve the Nigerian people. This is my promise to you. I need your support on this journey because without you I can’t do it. This is our collective fight. It is a generational fight for our today and the future of our children.

  1. Cry For Help, Support

“The odds are heavily stacked against us. We don’t have instruments of coercion or oppression. We don’t have looted funds to buy votes. We don’t have mainstream media on our side. We don’t have the party structure of the APC or PDP but we have the peoples structure. I stand today on the wings and aspirations of over 215 million Nigerians. I represent your hopes and dreams of a Nigeria that works. It is possible and we will make it happen come 2023.

“Tell every man woman and child that Dumebi has come. Let the echo of Dumebi has come ring from every doorway. Go to the market places and tell them Dumebi has come. Dumebi has come is the cry of freedom. 2023 is our year of freedom. I love you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. God bless you all.”

Governor Sule harps on skills acquisition for graduates, seeks further collaboration with NYSC

Governor Sule harps on skills acquisition for graduates, seeks further collaboration with NYSC

Lafia -. Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has emphasized on the need for Nigerian graduates to acquire technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills towards self-reliance.

Engineer Sule made the call while speaking as a special guest at the commissioning of the NYSC skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development centre, at the Magaji Dan Yamusa NYSC Orientation Camp, in Keffi, on Monday.

According to the Governor, the high turnover of graduates from institutions of higher learning across the country, makes it imperative that Nigerian graduates acquire not only degrees but also skills that will make them self-reliant and employers of labour.

While commending the director general and management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for siting the project in Nasarawa State, he promised that his administration will not only patronise the products here but will find ways to work together the NYSC as team.

He said the inauguration of the skills and technical skills acquisition centre, is in line with the policy thrust of his administration, aimed at empowering youths with skills to make them self-reliant.

Engineer Sule expressed optimism that the inauguration of the skills acquisition centre couldn’t have come at a better time, with Olams Nigeria Limited investing USD100m in the vicinity of the centre.

He specifically commended the NYSC DG, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, for the vision to redefine and reinvigorate the scheme and for turning the NYSC into a revenue generating facility for the federal government.

The Governor equally appreciated the first civilian governor of the state and national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for his vision to establish the NYSC camp.

It would be recalled that only recently, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Skills Acquisition Institute in Lafia, while on a two-day working visit to the state.

In a welcome address, the Director General of the NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the inauguration of the North Central Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), as well as the NYSC bakery, water and garment factories, is in line with his cardinal policy thrust to reinvigorate the NYSC Ventures and SAED programme in order for the NYSC Act more impactful.

Earlier in a goodwill message, first civilian governor of the state, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, traced the establishment of the permanent NYSC camp in Keffi, to his desire to fulfil the objective for setting up the scheme.

Senator Adamu explained that he was motivated by the objective of setting up the NYSC, especially the need to integrate Nigerians.

The national chairman of the APC noted that, with the high turnover of graduates from higher institions of learning across the country, no government can be able to give every NYSC member job, stressing that there is every need for Nigerian graduates to acquire technical and vocational skills towards self-sufficiency.

NASS: Abia-North to get Federal College of Education as Kalu’s Bill scales first reading

NASS: Abia-North to get Federal College of Education as Kalu’s Bill scales first reading

FCT (Abuja) -. A bill seeking to establish a Federal College of Education in Abia-North Senatorial District of Abia State has scaled first reading at the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday.

The bill sponsored by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu seeks the Amendment of Federal Colleges of Education Act Cap F8 Cap N143 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 , for the establishment of the proposed Tertiary institution to be sited in Arochukwu Local government area of Abia state.

Explanatory memorandum of the bill reveals that the bill seeks the establishment of the proposed institution in Arochukwu, Abia State by converting the existing College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, to Federal College of Education.

Following the reading of the title of the bill during Tuesday’s plenary by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, the bill was passed for first reading after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Orji Kalu’s latest tertiary institution establishment bills adds to over 15 bills sponsored by the Federal Parliamentarian since assumption as a first time Senator at the National Assembly.
 
Kalu’s bills at the National Assembly have entered various stages of legislative input, in a related development, the Senate granted first reading to the Senate Chief Whip’s bill seeking to establish the Federal Tax Crimes Commission.

According to Kalu the Bill seeks to improve the tax administration system and revenue generation by the government through the establishment of a Tax Crimes Commission.

The bill, among others, aims to complement the Federal Inland Revenue Service in ensuring compliance with payment of tax; develop and implement national policy for tracking down tax defaulters; develop tax compliance strategies; provide for an efficient and effective mechanism in administering the Nigerian tax system and to protect taxpayers’ rights.

Other notable bills fronted by Orji Kalu include; A bill for an Act to Establish the National Foodbank , A Bill for an Act to Amend compulsory Free Universal Basic Act 2004 to provide for Increased funding of Basic Education in  Nigeria Bill 2021.

Others are :A Bill for an Act to Amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Other Related Matters bill 2020; A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency ( Establishment ) Act, 2007 to provide for the prevention and control of Atmospheric Air pollution and other Related Matters there to Bill 2021; a Bill for an Act to Establish the Armed Forces Service commission to ensure the Federal character of the Armed forces pursuant to constitutional provision of Section 218 (4) and 219 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended,Bill 2021; a  Bill for an Act to prescribe the number of Justices of the court of Appeal by increasing the number to Ensure speedy Administration of Justice. Pursuant to constitutional provision of Sections  237(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended Bill 2021 ; Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, 1955 N129 LFN 2004 ( Repeal And Re-Enactment) Bill, 2021; a  Bill for an Act to Alter the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 ( As Amended ) to provide that the Federal Government and the State Governments shall have Concurrent Legislative Powers on Railway, and to provide for Matters Related THERETO, 2021 among others. 

Senate passes bill to re-enact National Commission for Colleges of Education

Senate passes bill to re-enact National Commission for Colleges of Education

FCT (Abuja) – The Senate, on Tuesday, passed a bill to repeal and re-enact the National Commission for Colleges of Education Act of 1989.

Also passed was a bill to establish the Federal Polytechnic Orozo. 

The bills were passed following the consideration of two separate reports by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETfund. 

Senator Nora Ladi Daddut, in a presentation on behalf of the Committee Chairman, Ahmad Babba Kaita, said the National Commission for Colleges of Education bill, among others, seeks to empower the commission to attract highly qualified personnel from the Federal Colleges of Education.

She added that the bill also seeks to make 65 years the official retirement age from service, as well as provide the commission with the powers to appoint, second or transfer an employee of other colleges or appoint new officer to deputize the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

She explained further that when passed and assented into law, the Commission would be empowered to determine the tenure and remunerations of the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission in consultation with the Minister of Education and/or any other Minister responsible. 

On the bill to establish the Federal Polytechnic Orozo, Senator Daduut said the institution when established, would develop and offer full-time academic  and professional programmes in Technology, Applied Sciences, Management and Administration, leading to the award of Higher National Diploma, Ordinary National Diploma and other certifications. 

2021 budget implementation extended to May 31, 2022 – Senate

2021 budget implementation extended to May 31, 2022 – Senate

FCT (Abuja) – The Senate has extended the implementation year of the 2021 Appropriation Act from 31st March to 31st May, 2022.

The extension was approved following the consideration of a bill to Amend the 2021 Appropriation Act.

The Senate before considering the bill suspended Rule 78(1) of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 (as amended), to enable the upper chamber to expeditiously introduce and pass the bill.

The bill was read on Tuesday for this first, second and third time after the suspension of Rule 78(1).

The bill was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Yayah Abdullahi (Kebbi North).

Leading debate on the bill, Senator Abdullahi, recalled that prior Appropriation Acts in the past were passed mid-year, with their implementation usually extended to the following year.

The lawmaker, noted that in previous Appropriation Acts, these extensions were usually covered by a Clause, in line with the provisions of Section 318 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the Act runs for a period of 12 months, starting from the date it comes into effect.

He, however, observed on the contrary that Clause 12 of the provisions of Section 318 of the Constitution provides that the 12 month period starts from the 1st day of January to 31st day of December, 2021.

He recalled that the 2022 Appropriation Act was amended to extend the implementation year from 31st December, 2021 to 31st March, 2022.

Senator Abdullahi, explained that the extension of the budget period became imperative in view of the need to complete ongoing projects nearing completion.

He said, “As you are aware, the 2021 Virement of the aggregate sum of N276 billion was approved for several MDAs by the National Assembly in December, 2021 along with 100 percent release of the 2021 Capital Budget of the MDAs.

“A significant portion of the releases to the MDAs has been utilized following the extension to 31st March, 2022.

“In view of the critical importance of some key projects nearing completion, it is expedient to grant further extension of the expiration clause to avoid compounding the problem of abandoned projects given that some of the projects were not provided for in the 2022 budget hence the need to extend the implementation year form 31 March, 2022 to 31st May, 2022.”

The bill to amend the 2021 Appropriation Act was, thereafter, passed sequel to its consideration by the Committee on Supply.

Meanwhile, a total of three bills on Tuesday scaled second reading on the floor.

The bills seek to establish the National Industrial Technology Park; the Federal College of Agriculture Ise-Orin, Ekiti State; and Federal University of Agriculture Ogoja, Cross River State.

The bills were sponsored by Senators Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central), Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) and Agom Jarigbe (Cross River North).

The bills after consideration were referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committees on Trade and Investment; and the Joint Committees on Tertiary Institutions and Agriculture and Rural Development.

The Committees were all given four weeks to report back to the upper chamber.

To President of the Senate

Tuesday, April 5, 2022.

Reps To FAAN: Put Measures In Place To Curb Repeat Of Embarrassing Outage At MMIA

Reps To FAAN: Put Measures In Place To Curb Repeat Of Embarrassing Outage At MMIA

Abuja – The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation headed by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) to put all necessary measures to avert a repeat occurrence of the type of power outage experienced at the D finger arrival of the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos last week.

The D finger arrival was thrown into darkness for over fifteen minutes on the night of Friday, first of April, 2022 at about 11:15 pm at the time the disembarked Air France passengers were undergoing facilitations.

Honourable Nnaji in his opening remarks at the meeting with the FAAN management and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) stressed that the committee had to invite the two organizations for explanations on the incident following a disturbing video that went verile at the weekend.

The committee chairman said the Parliament was not happy with the development adding that a prime airport like the MMIA ought to have standby generators that were supposed to switch on automatically immediately the public power source went off.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports of Nigeria, (FAAN) Captain Rabiu Yadudu disclosed that the problem was caused by the heavy rain which fell that night that affect the underground cables that supply power to the affected finger.

Captain Yadudu further disclosed that the international terminal of the Murtala Mohammed Airport has six 4.8 KVA generators serving as alternative power source to the terminal and that they usually switch on automatically within five seconds whenever there was disruption from the national grid.

He also stated that the problem lasted for only fifteen minutes before the light was restored adding that it was blown out of proportion through the social media network.

The Managing Director equally disclosed that the greatest challenge facing the authority was that some of the underground cables had damaged and needed total replacements because they were laid over forty years ago.

Also speaking in same vein,, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA),Captain Musa Nuhu said since the terminal was built in1978 no major renovation had been carried on it.

He noted that what the terminal required was total remodeling and rewiring of the cables as the only way of solving the problems which according to him had been a reoccurring issue.

Honourable Nnaji however maintained that FAAN and the NCAA should meet and come up with suggestions on how to address the problem permanently to avoid future embarrassment of the type of what happened on April first, 2022.

Yaya Toure is set to be announced as a first-team coach in the EPL

The hard work of Yaya after retiring from playing professional football is set to be rewarded, with Tottenham Hotspur ready to announce his arrival to the club

as part of Antonio Conte’s team.

The former Manchester City and Barcelona star has been working with the club’s youth-team groups since December and it is thought that the club will soon announce the news, according to the Daily Mail.

Toure has had an awesome career as a player, winning trophies at Barcelona and Manchester City while establishing himself as one of the best players in world football.

Tottenham is leaving no stone unturned in tapping into his talent, as they plan for a brighter future between him and Antonio Conte .

Mourinho: ‘Roma is on a CLass of their Own,other coaches would be praised for fantastic football’

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was in the right place at the right time to give Roma a precious victory away to Sampdoria, further consolidating fifth place.

Roma Manager,Jose Mourinho is proud of his team for their victory against Sampdoria as he wants Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Bryan Cristante to stay,he also stated that ‘any other coach would be praised for our fantastic football!’

Mkhitaryan was in the right place at the right time to give Roma a precious victory away to Sampdoria, consolidating further on the fifth position.

The Giallorossi are now unbeaten in 10 Serie A games, they used the same XI that crushed Lazio 3-0 in the Derby della Capitale, although this time Nicolò Zaniolo was injured rather than dropped, joining Leonardo Spinazzola and Jordan Veretout on the absentee list, while Sampdoria missed Sebastian Giovinco, Manolo Gabbiadini and Mikkel Damsgaard, with Albin Ekdal not fully fit either.

Mourinho had never won or even scored a goal at Marassi, so this was a first for the former Inter Milan coach.

Thomas Tuchel’s long marriage to his wife Sissi has ended

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel’and his wife, Sissi, have parted ways after 13 years of marriage.

Tuchel and Sissi married in 2009 when he was living and working in his native Germany.

Sissi worked as a journalist in Germany but is said to have given up her job to raise her and her husband’s two daughters.

The whole family moved to France after former Mainz and Dortmund boss Tuchel took over at Paris Saint-Germain in 2018.

They then relocated to the UK in August, seven months after Tuchel had become Chelsea manager.

Two months earlier Tuchel, his wife and their two children were all pictured together on the pitch at the Estadio do Dragao in Portugal after Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City.

Daily Mail reported that Sissi who gave up her job as a journalist at the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung to bring up their family started the divorce proceedings last week.

Meanwhile,Tuchel has vowed to stick with the c despite The Blues’ inability to sell tickets for games, sign players or give new contracts to existing players, due to the sanctions placed on Abramovich.