• Mikel Arteta is set to renew his contract with Arsenal and spearhead the title defence of The English Champions. The club approached our Basque native earlier this year, and it was agreed Mikel wanted to focus on delivering us major silverware & to earn his position within the home of the champions. Total accountability.
My understanding is that Enrique Riquleme explored a secret plot to bring Arteta to Madrid if he had won his presidential election. Mikel is currently on 'holiday', yet actively involved in our transfer operations. While everyone at the club are behaving like it’s a done deal, the club hope to finalise the inner details of the most important contract at the club. Minimum 3 years - the wheels are firmly on. Viva La Mikel.
• Andrea Berta's current contract runs until 2028. As I understand it, senior officials from Saudi explored a possibility of luring the Italian to the Middle East, while Bayern also covertly did the same thing. Andrea promised Mikel last summer he would deliver him a squad worthy of major silverware… mission completed, with the UCL now in their sights.
Another thing I wanted to mention is Micheli Maurizio, the man responsible for scouting Hamšík, Kvaratskhelia, Kim Min-Jae and now Christos Tzolis. While Arsenal aim to add atleast 2 attackers, do not underestimate the authority and respect this man has within the club and wider football. Two weeks ago, I was speaking to the representatives of a player who told me Micheli was the one holding court without the presence of Berta. This duo act are conducting business seamlessly, as you can see with the revamp of the Arsenal youth set up, for which I am told the club have ring fenced a special transfer budget.
• The contract of Declan Rice is also a major focus for Arsenal this summer, with initial talks starting early this year. As I understand it, Declan is very happy at Arsenal despite interest from the likes of Real Madrid and others. Talks are going smoothly and expect this to get done in due course.
• Jurrien Timber's contract is very close to completion. Minor details remain.
• David Raya has a 1 year optional extension on his current contract, which has 2 years left. All parties are very relaxed about his long term future, as a pay rise was agreed last summer.
As for all the rumours circulating, as of today, Arsenal are yet to make direct contact with ANY club for a MIDFIELDER.
I am happy to provide a 'state of play' post on the midfielder situation if that would be helpful?
HandofArsenal
https://t.co/Av82d2H54h
HOW ABEOKUTA WAS FOUNDED
Abeokuta was founded in 1830 by warriors like:
LAMODI-Who initiated the move to ABEOKUTA was then the BALOGUN of EGBA,- He died on the way and never made it to the promised land ABEOKUTA.
SODEKE-Who was then the SERIKI of EGBA led the fleeing EGBAs to ABEOKUTA in 1830 after the death of LAMODI.
SODEKE’s father was from Iporo but his mother,EFUWON,was from Gbagura.
ABEOKUTA was founded in 1830 by the refugees from Egba forest.The name of the town was derived from the protection which the fleeing settlers sought under the ROCK known as OLUMO.
Olumo which interprets in YORUBA as OLU fi mo, or OLUWA fi mo.OLU or OLUWA meaning GOD has put a stop to their suffering after fleeing from the inter-tribal war of between 1817 and 1830.
They the EGBAs now settle under the OLUMO ROCK ,now call the Town – ABEOKUTA meaning under the ROCK. OLUMO ROCK is now a world class tourist centre in ABEOKUTA, Ogun State capital.
OLUMO offered a significant protection for the EGBAs from the possible attacks from their enemies.
ABEOKUTA which was founded in 1830 was as a result of the inter-tribal war which broke out due to an incident at APOMU Market now in the Irewolede Local Government area of Osun State.
LAMODI, a warrior of note was credited with the initiative for the migration to ABEOKUTA, Although he didn't see the promised land because he died on the way.He was at the time the BALOGUN of the EGBA people.
SODEKE,who was then the SERIKI of the EGBA took over after LAMODI’s death and led the first wave of migration to ABEOKUTA in 1830.
Bringing up the rear of the migrants to Abeokuta were the Owu people in about the year 1834.
Some other settlers also came later.
On settling in Abeokuta,each community continued its main occupation of farming,cultivating mainly food crops and a few cash crops, notably cotton, palm-trees,and kola-nuts.
Between 1830 and the turn of the century, the settlers in Abeokuta were forced into fighting several wars, they creditably proved their mettle
In 1832,the Ijebu Remo people provoked the new settlers into taking arms against several Ijebu Remo towns in a war called OWIWI WAR.
In 1834, the Ibadan people also challenged the Egbas to a war which resulted in the defeat of the Ibadan army in what was known as the battle of ARAKANGA.
Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan (NNOM) at 80: The Playwright Who Turned the Stage Into a Weapon for Justice
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When Babafemi Osofisan arrived at the Sorbonne in the 1970s, he wanted to study African drama. He was told it wasn't a serious subject.
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Rather than change his topic, he walked away.
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He returned to Nigeria, earned a PhD in African drama, and spent the next five decades becoming one of the continent's most celebrated playwrights, scholars, and cultural critics.
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On June 16, Professor Femi Osofisan turns 80.
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His story is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to let others decide what matters.
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Read the full story here: https://t.co/cdVzbsH4AW
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What would African literature look like today if he had accepted that first "no"?
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@UniIbadan
3rd 1x1 unit, north of the previous one, displayed a fairly disturbed stone pavement south of a classic potshed pavement of the fishbone type. Note the dark spot that indicates the presence of a pit. Exploration continues.
Students took to the streets to share their NELFUND @NELFUND testimonies and say one thing: Thank you, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.@officialABAT
At a time when many students struggled with the rising cost of education, NELFUND has offered hope, relief, and a chance to pursue their dreams without financial barriers.
This is what democracy should look like, policies that directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
NELFUND is working. NELFUND is changing lives. And NELFUND has come to stay.
#ThankYouPresidentTinubu #NELFUND #RenewedHope
Imoyo proves that Yoruba cuisine does not rely on excess to impress. Fresh fish, pepper, tomatoes and carefully balanced broth create a dish that feels light yet deeply satisfying. It adapts effortlessly to rice, yam, amala or eba. Great food is engineered, not accidental.
FT: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde.
That was some Mikel Arteta school of defending masterclass from Cape Verde.
Everything about this World Cup reminds me about Arsenal.