Manchester City defeats Real Madrid to reach Champions League final.

Bernardo Silva's two goals helped Manchester City defeat Real Madrid 4-0 on Wednesday, giving them a 5-1 victory overall.

This effort helped them advance to the Champions League final.

In addition to Julian Alvarez's late goal, Eder Militao's own goal put Pep Guardiola's team within three victories of emulating Manchester United's treble from 1998–1999 (three wins).

Oyo environmental task force goes tough on offenders, arrests 4,000, convicts 5

Not less than 4,000 environmental violators have been arrested by the Oyo State Environmental Task Force, according to the data provided by its Chairman, DCP Ojomo Francis.

During the trial of the few offenders in Ibadan on Wednesday, DCP Ojomo said that some of the defendants were ordered to perform community service while others were required to pay fines.

DCP Ojomo disclosed that approximately N30 million had been paid into the Oyo State Government's coffers by various offenders during the time under review. 

Ojomo, who also serves as the Waste Enforcement Officer, asked people to abide by state environmental regulations.

He added that Item 11 of the UN places a high priority on sanitation and a sustainable environment and that doing this will maintain the society's health and sense of neighborliness. 

As the TASKFORCE is keeping an eye on everyone, he urged Nigerians, especially those in Oyo State, to pay attention to cleaning their surroundings. 

The Director of Civil Protection also reaffirmed the Oyo State Government's dedication to preserving a secure and healthy environment.

Ojomo said, "This is not the first time we have requested that the public abide by our environmental rules in order to maintain social harmony and good health.

"Item 11, of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations places premium on sanitation and sustainable environment. We do not need to attend any formal school to take care of our environment in our own interest".

In a related development, the Oyo State Environmental Protection Tribunal, on Wednesday, convicted five offenders for violating environmental laws in the state.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr. Jubreel Kareem, while speaking with journalists, disclosed that during monitoring in Ibadan, the five offenders were arrested.

He said two of the offenders, Olanrewaju Deola and Funmilayo Ayoola were found disposing wastes illegally at unauthorized place, they also failed to provide a standard refuse drum contrary to Oyo State Environmental Laws, 2013.

The persons admitted to have committed the offences and were convicted to three months of imprisonment or an option of fines of N5000, N2500, N2500, each.

Another offender, Olabisi Olatunde who was caught at Preboyes, along UI-Bodija dumping refuse on the median pleaded guilty. The tribunal thereafter fined her N7, 500.

In the same vein, John Blessing and Ali Sumaiya were caught illegally displaying goods by road side at Mokola.

The Tribunal ruled that this is against Section 2 sub-section 14 of the Oyo State Waste Management Law of 2014 and thereafter fined them 2500 each.

The head of the Tribunal further warned the offenders not violate environmental laws of the State henceforth, saying this will serve as a lesson to them and others.

Kidnappers place N30m ransom on captured Oyo farmer

Olushola Ayanshola, a cattle dealer, has been abducted along Otu-Alaga Road, in the Itesiwaju local government area of Oyo state.

The sum of N30 million was demanded for his release.

Ayanshola was returning from his farm around Alaga Road, close to Radio Station, Otu town, on Sunday evening when two gun-wielding kidnappers shot sporadically into the air to scare motorists and passersby.

The farmer was taken away into the bush and efforts by his family members and security agents to locate his whereabouts were unsuccessful.

Olawale, the son of the kidnapped man said the kidnappers contacted the family on Monday to demand N30m ransom.

He added that his father pleaded with him and his elder brother, Emmanuel, to find a way to raise the money because the abductors.

Olawale said his father urged them to sell his property to raise the money but he told him there was nothing to sell to raise N30m as all his property was not worth N2m.

He added that when he he tried speaking with one of the kidnappers, he did not understand Yoruba and English but Hausa.

Olawale claimed he reported the matter at the Otu Police Station and that the Amotekun Corps heard of the kidnap and its men have been combing the bush but could not find them.

However, the kidnappers informed Olawale that they are aware that hunters and the Amotekun operatives were on their trail and threatened to kill his father if he did not tell them to back down.

Olawale's father confirmed it and told him that the kidnappers have informants who usually update them as to when to go deeper inside the bush.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, is aware of the incident and he said an investigation is ongoing.

Tinubu in talks with US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, pledges to strengthen Nigeria's democracy

Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on May 29. He also  pledged to ensure positive relations with the United States.

Asíwájú Tinubu made the pledges  during a telephone conversation Tuesday night with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

Initiated by the US diplomat, the telephone discussion was frank and friendly.

The President-elect said that among his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programs to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.

During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, President-elect Tinubu spoke about his eventful sojourn in America in the 70s, where he graduated with honours as an accountant in 1979. 

He also recalled how he was granted asylum by the US when, due to his determined struggle for democracy in Nigeria, he was forced into exile by the late General Sani Abacha’s military junta. 

While affirming his democratic bonafides , President-elect Tinubu expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people. 

He said he would work to unite the country and ensure that Nigerians are happy and enjoy the benefits of democracy and progressive good governance. 

Responding to Secretary Blinken, the President-elect said without national unity, security, economic development and good governance, Nigeria would not become a better place to live in or play her proper role in the comity of African nations.

He urged the US to factor in Nigeria's important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent.

Secretary Blinken assured that Nigeria should expect a good and mutually-beneficial relationship with the US. 

He promised to play his part in bringing a sustained and cordial relationship between the two nations to fruition, saying a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the United States as it is to Africa.

Both President-elect Tinubu and Secretary Blinken ended their discussion with pleasant greetings and a promise to keep the channels of dialogue and communication open, while maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations.