Lionel Messi’s hat-trick saw World Cup-bound Argentina to a comfortable victory against Caribbean minnows Haiti in Buenos Aires. It was the Lionel Messi show as his hat-trick guided Argentina to a routine 4-0 friendly win over Haiti with the World Cup looming. With the World Cup set to get underway in Russia next month, two-time champions Argentina stepped up their preparations thanks to captain Messi’s three-goal haul in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Messi took his international tally to 64 goals in 124 appearances – the Barcelona star’s penalty breaking the deadlock in the 17th minute before he completed his hat-trick in eight second-half minutes against the Caribbean minnows. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner then set up substitute and Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero with 21 minutes remaining at La Bombonera, where Haiti did not register a shot.

Christina Comben Going to the doctor’s can be a real pain. Unless you’re fortunate enough to live in one of those Scandinavian countries where everything just works, for most of us, a trip to the doctor is a never-ending cycle of bureaucratic misery. Trying to get an appointment, verifying insurance, searching for medical records. If even the thought of it makes your stomach tighten in knots, take heart… Blockchain will revolutionize the medical industry soon enough. So, sit back and relax. You won’t have to worry about your intimate details circulating around the net, or being hung up on by a sour-faced receptionist ever again. And the safety of the medical devices you use and the drugs you take (assuming they’re legal) will be beyond question. Because frankly, between data leaks, malpractice, and insurance scandals; if ever there were a broken system screaming to be fixed, it’s healthcare. And while blockchain may not exactly be a superhero descending from the heavens like a light...

By Isaac Eranga, Benin The first edition of the Stephen Keshi National Under 17 Football tournament is set to kick off with eight states comprising of thirteen teams from Friday 1st to 7th June 2018 in Benin. This was disclosed by Danladi Musa of the Nigeria Players Union. The participating teams are Oceanic Stars Football Club (Rivers) Recovery Football Academy, Freiburgerweg Football Academy (Lagos)  Rahbam Sports Football Club (Plateau) Lasora Spring Soccer Academy (Kwara) Kingdom Stars Football Academy (Bayelsa) Solo Wonders Football Club (Abia) Obazuwa Football Club, Cowbell Footbalbl Academy, BJ Foundation Football Club, Fortress Football Academy,  Edo: Rock Star Football Club (Edo) and Ogunmala Football Club ( Delta) The teams will arrive Benin on thursday 31st June to kick start  Preliminaries on Friday 1st June and grand finale on 7th June 2018 at the Crescent Club Football pitch in GRA Benin The tournament is part of activities organised by the National Asso...

In a bid to sustaining grassroot development, the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged support from Edo residents in order to enlarge its associated gains. Obaseki who said this in his Democracy Day Message in Benin City, noted that: "This day is one of extreme significance in our history as a nation as it marks the return of power to the people." He maintained that "Despite the challenges we have faced in our effort to firmly establish our democratic institutions and deepen the values, the non-interruption of our democracy since 1999, is proof of its overwhelming popularity and acceptance." He added: "It has proven to be the best form of government for human development and advancement because it encourages the participation of everyone in the society and we are happy that it is now firmly rooted in our country. "In Edo State, we have taken development to the grassroots in recognition of the fact that power belongs to the people. ...

The Presidency on Sunday warned that the defeat of President Muhammadu Buhari and the return of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to government in 2019 will reverse the gains the present administration has made since coming into office in 2015. Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, observed in an article made available to the media in Abuja on Sunday that PDP politicians were busy going around the country with “Change the Change” campaign, canvassing for the removal of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led by the president whose campaign slogan was “Change.” While conceding that the PDP government established the present anti-corruption institutions, he said the removal of Buhari will mean a return to the old order where, according to him, corruption had a free rein while seized looted assets will be returned to corrupt individuals. “The real meaning and cost of the “Changing the Change,” is that if ...

The police have arrested the most wanted suspects and other key members of the gang that took part in a deadly armed robbery in Offa, Kwara State. On Thursday, April 5, armed robbers invaded five banks in Offa, killing scores of residents, including policemen, bank workers and passersby. The assailants were said to have carted away millions of naira as they robbed the banks for about one hour without any challenge from security agents. The state Commissioner of Police, Ado Lawan, who put the casualty figure at 17, said nine policemen died during the attack. But sequel to the publication of the pictures of the robbers in the media, police said they have been getting several credible leads from good citizens. As a result, IRT teams deployed by IGP Ibrahim Idris to Kwara, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti States were able to arrest two more gang-leaders of the deadly bank robbery whose pictures were circulated by the Media. The confessed gang-leaders Arrested are: Kunle Ogunleye aka Arrow ...

From our correspondent The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Edo State Chapter, has described as illegal and undemocratic, the suspension of the law maker representing Ovia South West constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Honourable Godwin Adenomo, saying it is an attempt to ridicule the judiciary and undermine the institution of its powers. This was contained in a press statement signed by the Chairman of Edo CNPP Prince Roy Oribhabor and made available to the Social Reporters News Service . According to Prince Oribhabor, "the Edo CNPP is seriously bothered about this development because one will naturally expects the Edo State  House of Assembly to demonstrate inclusive participation and learn from history or even the Senate suspension of Senator Omo-Agege which the court has since quashed and described as legislative rascality and unconstitutional. "For how long shall we continue to operate in illegality? Whose interest is Edo State House o...