Through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the federal government is currently constructing 250 Renewed Hope estates in 12 states across the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
Ahmed Dangiwa, the minister of housing and urban development, made the remarks in Kano on Friday during a visit to the Renewed Hope City and Estate in Lambu, Kano State.
He noted that a provision is also being finalized to stop the same project from being built in the remaining 24 states in order to provide affordable housing to Nigerians.
The government is also planning to build seven Renewed Hope Cities, one for each geopolitical zone and one for each FCT, while the announcement for the takeoff in the last four north-central, north-central, south-south, and south-eastern regions is noted in the statement.
Arc . Despite the delay in receiving payments, Dangiwa assured the Kano Renewed Hope Estate contractors that the issues will be resolved soon.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Demands Governors to Deliver Results
The Minister and the team also inspected Renewed Hope City, one of the Kano 2000 units, for PPP financing.
He praised the work’s progress and demanded that the developers follow the 2025 delivery deadline.
The administration’s priority list includes the housing provision. By making housing affordable and accessible to all levels of Nigerians, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remarked.
Arc . In a message to the Kano contractors complaining about non-payments, Dangiwa assured them that the government was working to resolve their issues as soon as possible.
He said, “I implore you not to be discouraged; all of your payments will be made as soon as possible.”
Rasmus Hojlund is about to face a match at the stadium that will host next year’s World Cup final.
Manchester United’s friendly with West Ham at MetLife Stadium, in the grand scheme of things, is nowhere near as big a deal. But for the Danish striker, it’s crucial.
A crowd approaching 50,000 is anticipated for United’s opening game in the four-team Premier League Summer Series on Saturday evening, just west of New York City.
Hojlund’s performance could determine whether head coach Ruben Amorim keeps faith with him as United’s attacking spearhead.
United have spent more than £120m on forward players this summer – but three weeks before the start of the new Premier League season, do not have the number nine many informed observers believe they are desperate for.
They were frustrated in their efforts to sign Liam Delap – who left Ipswich for Chelsea instead. And on Friday, Amorim hinted Hojlund remains his first choice for the role.
In May, United finished 15th in the Premier League, their worst final placing since relegation from the top flight in 1974. A Europa League final defeat by Tottenham compounded the disappointment.
Vast improvement has to come – Amorim accepts as much.
And for that to happen, his side must score more goals. They managed only 44 in the league last season.
The week before last, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe met chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox in Iceland. It is probably fair to assume the centre-forward position was discussed.
And there is no doubt they wanted Delap. United have been targeting the domestic market because Amorim is keen to add players who do not need time to adapt to the Premier League. But Chelsea sealed the deal.
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Viktor Gyokeres was thought of as a target from the moment Amorim was appointed, given how successful the pair were together at Sporting after the 27-year-old had impressed in the Championship with Coventry.
But Gyokeres is heading to Arsenal.
Nicolas Jackson’s name keeps being mentioned in connection with United. There have been conversations about the Chelsea forward, but not to the point where it has looked as if United might try to buy him.
Aston Villa quickly shut down a link to their forward Ollie Watkins, letting it be known they have no interest in selling. Could United put that to the test?
Watkins is an interesting case because he slipped down the pecking order at Villa when Marcus Rashford – unwanted by Amorim – arrived on loan.
Man Utd to need to raise funds
Former Everton striker Moise Kean, who re-established his reputation in Serie A with Fiorentina, Randal Kolo Muani, back at Paris St-Germain and unwanted after a loan spell with Juventus, and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta are all likely to be available.
The same is true of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, although Newcastle is a more likely destination for the Slovenian.
Then there are the wildcard options – out-of-contract forwards such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jamie Vardy.
But none of these options come without risk. And for United, funds are limited and there are so many weaknesses to address.
Amorim referred to the need for more energy in midfield after last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Leeds in Stockholm.
Amorim didn’t mention the additional issues, but others have: Goalkeeper, central defence, the right-sided wing-back role. The list goes on.
Not all of this can be dealt with in a single transfer window. It is quite possible 12 months from now, if he is still in post, Amorim will still be looking to address flaws that exist now, as well as those that emerge in the coming months.
Funds are precious and United need to raise some.
They might have generated around £30m this summer through sell-ons being activated for Alvaro Carreras, who has left Benfica for Real Madrid, Anthony Elanga joining Newcastle and Maxi Oyedele moving to Strasbourg – plus the covering of Rashford’s wages for the season by his loan move to Barcelona – but more needs to be done.
Rashford was one of five unwanted players effectively cast out of the first-team picture by Amorim – the other four being Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia. More money could be generated by selling those four – but Amorim has warned that they won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap.
Garnacho is a player capable of generating a sizeable fee – albeit not the £60m United went into the summer hoping for. He may be pivotal, especially if Chelsea go back for a player they were close to signing in January.
The case for sticking with Hojlund
Against Leeds in Sweden, 18-year-old Chido Obi started. But the former Arsenal youngster currently appears to be an impact player.
Hojlund took over for the second half. As usual, he worked hard enough, didn’t receive the service a centre-forward would want and did his best for the team.
But, as usual, he didn’t score. He has scored 26 goals in 95 competitive appearances over two years at United – just over a goal every four games.
The numbers are not terrible. But they include a run of five goals in four games last season and eight in eight the campaign before. Statistics can be manipulated to suit any argument – but if those two sequences are taken out, what is left is 13 goals in 83 appearances, or more than six games for every goal. That is clearly not good enough.
The question is whether Hojlund can extend the more productive spells or if they are distorting the overall picture.
On Friday, Amorim gave the impression he has not given up on the 22-year-old, who cost United £72m when they bought him from Serie A outfit Atalanta in 2023.
In his opening media engagement of the summer in Chicago, United’s head coach made a couple of significant points.
Firstly, he insisted he would be happy to go into the new season with his current squad. In truth, he couldn’t say anything else given there are no guarantees of further signings.
Secondly, he confirmed his belief that his attacking reinforcements, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, could both operate as a spearhead in addition to the number 10 roles they appear best suited to.
But it was towards the end of a long unrelated answer, in connection to captain Bruno Fernandes, that Amorim might have given an indication about his thinking.
The coach wants Fernandes to operate deeper, away from those two prized number 10 spots. He thinks the Portuguese can cause more damage that way because he won’t be marked as tightly.
“If you have the threat of players; of Rasmus, Matheus and Brian, in the space and a player with Bruno’s quality on the ball, it’s really important,” he said.
Events can change course quickly at Old Trafford but at the very least, the namecheck suggested Hojlund is likely to get some time on the pitch with Cunha, Mbeumo and Fernandes at the MetLife and beyond.
And if he finds a spark across a trio of pre-season fixtures against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton over the next nine days, it may cause United’s hierarchy to pause and think.
To a greater or lesser degree, the search for a striker has been a feature of their summer.
The Duke of Sussex has missed his chance to repair things with one significant royal, who may have once held the key to reconciliation, according to royal expert Jennie Bond.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that Prince Harry’s “extremely disloyal” acts may prove to be unforgiveable in the eyes of one royal(Image: Getty Images)
As rumours of peace talks between Prince Harry and King Charles continue to swirl after senior aides to the two royals were spotted at a meeting in London, a royal expert has weighed in on the claims that one major royal could mend the rift.
Earlier this week, a royal insider shared Harry should’ve reached out to his aunt , Princess Anne, more during the turbulent times within the royal family that eventually led to Harry and Meghan quitting royal life and relocating to California. The insider, a friend of the princess, who also played second fiddle to her brother, King Charles, said that they had first had the thoughts after Prince Harry’s tell-all autobiography Spare was released.
A royal expert has claimed that it may be too late for Prince Harry to speak to Princess Anne about mending the royal rift(Image: Getty Images)
But despite the insider’s beliefs, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes it is too late for the Duke of Sussex to confide in the Princess Royal, and to lean on her to help mend the relationship between Harry and King Charles, given his “extremely disloyal” actions towards the Firm.
The insider allegedly said, as reported by the Sunday Times: “He [ Prince Harry ] really ought to talk to Princess Anne. She often talked about how, as children, she was treated so differently from Charles. She was second to him and kicked further down the line of succession as a woman, but she forged her own path.
She was bolshy and upset about a lot of things in her twenties, but she managed to survive. She ought to talk about her experiences with him. She is intelligent. She could go over what she went through with a lot of detail.
Who has more power in the relationship? Harry or Meghan? Take our poll below, and if you can’t see it click here
However, according to Jennie, Anne has passed away from giving Harry advice on how to navigate life as a “spare” and how to repair his relationship with the royal family as a whole.
Jennie exclusively told The Mirror : “Yes Anne would have been the perfect person to offer advice and guidance, but sadly, this is no longer relevant as Harry has made it quite clear that he has no desire to return to life as a working royal.
Jennie Bond believes that Harry’s “extreme disloyalty” may be unforgiveable in the eyes of the Firm(Image: Getty Images)
She could have told her nephew that the incorrect way to evaluate his situation is to play second fiddle. The second born can be a valuable partner, confidant, and wingman/woman to the monarch, as she has demonstrated.
She could have said that they are a team, a company, working together to maintain the monarchy’s relevance and to support charities and local communities.
Jennie also questioned whether Anne was aware of the extent of the family rift and whether she would not like to participate in revisiting the drama between Harry and Charles.
She said, “I’m not sure if the King and Anne would want to get involved, though it might be that the King has had a conversation about his family issues.” Loyalty is important to Anne, and I suspect she understands why Harry has treated his father, his brother, and the monarchy poorly. That might be difficult for her to forgive.
At the private member’s club, which is right next to Clarence House – Charles’ London residence, rumors of a royal reconciliation first surfaced earlier this month when Harry’s chief communications officer and Liam Maguire, who oversees Harry and Meghan’s UK public relations team, met the King’s communications secretary Tobyn Andreae.
Although it is unknown who set up the meeting, sources have said that it was informal and intended to open a communication gap between the two camps.
The Lionesses have achieved success at the Euros and will face Spain in the final on Sunday. However, when they aren’t on the pitch, they can be found at their stunning yet minimalist homes.
Some of the Lionesses have shared a peek inside their trendy homes (Image: UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Footie fans are eager to learn more about the talented players, including their hometown, as the England Women’s Football Team prepares for their Euro final match against Spain this Sunday.
Despite their hectic schedules, the Lionesses still manage to add personal touches to their homes. Many of them reside in mid-sized houses adorned with modern decor and sleek furnishings, hinting at a possible shared love for minimalistic interiors within the squad.
Even the odd football memorabilia can be found in the background, and spaces have been created for those crucial recovery days. Let’s examine the interior more closely…
Alex Greenwood
Alex Greenwood lives with her partner Jack O’Connell(Image: alexgreenwood5/Instagram)
Greenwood appears to have a grey corner sofa and white walls in her modest home (Image: Instagram/Alex Greenwood)
Continue reading the article.
Lioness left-back Alex Greenwood shares her home with partner Jack O’Connell, whom she met during her teenage years. The 31-year-old Manchester City captain has kept most of her home life off social media, but a handful of posts revealed that she has a plush grey sofa and white-washed walls in her living room.
On the snug grey sofa, which has matching cushions, can be seen in photos from February 2023. A black coffee table and cabinet can be seen in the background while air diffusers are mounted on the white window seals. A football is displayed in a stand on the cabinet, giving her a touching nod to her career. We just wonder where it came from.
Lucy Bronze
The Lioness star has a cosy terracotta bedroom (Image: Instagram/Lucy Bronze)
In an Instagram post from 2021, Bronze shared a snap of a sleek grey kitchen(Image: Instagram/Lucy Bronze)
The Chelsea right-back, known as one of the world’s top female footballers, lives in a stunning abode with a trendy bedroom and sleek kitchen. In photos shared on Instagram, Bronze revealed her terracotta and pink-shaded bedroom, with warm furnishings and cosy interiors.
The double bed has plush pillows scattered across the bed, as well as abstract artwork above the bed, plants on the wooden chest of drawers, a circle mirror, rattan shades, and a circle mirror. It is the ideal haven thanks to its cozy appearance and warm tones.
Lucy is alleged to have had a second look inside her home, this time in her kitchen, in an Instagram post from 2021.
The large kitchen had sleek grey cabinets and a large island in the middle, though it’s not clear if Bronze has relocated. In the photo, Bronze beams happily to wish her a happy birthday alongside her Nan.
Another Instagram post from the same year, this time featuring the football player holding her beloved pooch, featured the same room with the kitchen and open-planned space. With large patio doors extending out across the room, the downstairs area has white tiled flooring and white walls for a minimalistic finish.
Chloe Kelly
Chloe Kelly lives with her husband Scott(Image: Instagram)
Kelly’s house has a neutral theme throughout (Image: Instagram)
Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly lives with her husband, Scott, whom she married in July last year. They also have three adorable dogs, Rolo, Otis, and Brody.
Fans have gotten sneak peeks of the home’s contemporary design on numerous occasions, though they haven’t officially shown it to the public. With grey carpeting, beige walls, and grey floorboards, the couple has chosen a minimalistic design.
Ella Toone
Ella Toone has created a cosy space in her home(Image: Instagram/Ella Toone)
Toone’s dining room is a chic area, ideal for hosting her fellow teammates (Image: Instagram/Ella Toone)
In November 2022, the Manchester United attacking midfielder became a proud homeowner and is thought to be living with her long-term boyfriend, Joe Bunney. In a snap shared on Instagram at the time, Toone beamed as she stood outside her new pad and wrote the caption: “Happy new home day.”
Continue reading the article.
Toone also took additional pictures showing her living room, which resembles the theme of other Lionesses’ designs. For added comfort, the cozy area includes a grey corner sofa, beige walls, abstract prints, a black coffee table, and a plush grey rug.
Less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to tie the knot with Hanni Treweek, Jack P. Shepherd was seen taking to the streets of Manchester with his Coronation Street co-stars last night.
Jack P Shepherd hit the town the night before his wedding despite ‘snubbing’ the idea of a stag do(Image: KIERAN / BACKGRID)
Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd was spotted out with his ITV co-stars last night, less than 24 hours before his big day.
Just over a year after the Celebrity Big Brother winner proposed during an African safari in Tanzania, the 37-year-old actor is getting married to his 36-year-old wife in Manchester this afternoon.
The duo are set to have a ‘no expenses spared wedding,’ but there was one tradition he was adamant to ditch; the stag do. It seemed like his co-stars Colson Smith and Nick Tilsley actor Ben Price managed to change his mind as the trio were snapped out on the town last night.
In the photos, Jack can be seen gleefully walking through Manchester with his co-stars Colson Smith and Ben Price.
Jack, Colson and Ben celebrated Jack’s upcoming wedding last night(Image: KIERAN / BACKGRID)
Before the big day, the trio appeared in high spirits on Manchester’s streets, with Jack looking smart while sporting a white shirt and black pants. Ben wore a chunky blue cardigan over a shirt, while Cole opted for a more formal look with a hoody and trainers.
The three appeared to share a joke during their journey through Manchester, as they could be seen chuckling to one another – perhaps about the fact Jack was adamant he didn’t want a stag do…
The trio looked in high spirits as they hit the town(Image: KIERAN / BACKGRID)
Jack made the declaration that he doesn’t want a stag do in January of this year. He previously stated, “No, I don’t like going on a stag do where someone just takes the p*** out of you all weekend, you’re the butt of every joke, and you have to dress like a f***ing baby.”
However, axed Coronation Street co-star Colson Smith, who played Craig Tinker on the soap, later had an awkward admission for the star on their On the Sofa podcast.
Jack wore a white shirt for the night out(Image: KIERAN / BACKGRID)
Jack previously insisted he didn’t want a stag do(Image: KIERAN / BACKGRID)
Colson said, “There is something I need to discuss with you about this subject, but I’m not sure when to do it.”
“You’re very, very against it, but this is the right time.” However, I just need to let you know that a small group of us, which is only four people, and then you can add yourself, who is five, are actually having a stag do.
After Jack reluctantly suggested that they could “go for a bit of food and then go out,” Colson then assured Jack that the conversation would be quiet.
At least five civilians were killed and 13 were hurt in an attack on a courthouse in Sistan-Baluchestan province in southeast-western Iran, according to Iranian media.
A senior police official told the state news agency IRNA that a mother and a child were among the victims of the handgrenade attack on Saturday in Zahedan, Sistan-Baluchestan’s capital.
According to IRNA, three of the attackers were killed as well, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) regional headquarters.
A Baloch armed group with roots in Pakistan but operations in Iran called Jaish al-Adl (Arabic for Army of Justice) responsible for the attack and urged “all civilians to immediately evacuate the area of clashes for their safety,” according to Iranian media.
The attackers attempted to enter the building while posing as visitors, according to Alireza Daliri, Sistan-Baluchestan’s deputy police commander.
Witnesses who spoke to the Baloch human rights organization HAALVSH claimed that several members of the judiciary and security personnel were killed or injured when the assailants stormed the judges’ chambers.
IRNA reported that there were emergency personnel on the scene, with the injured being evacuated and transported to hospitals.
Iran’s Sunni Muslim Baloch minority, who have long claimed to be economically marginalized and politically excluded, is based in Sistan-Baluchestan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Some armed organizations claim to be fighting for greater autonomy and rights. Some of them are accused of having ties to foreign governments and being involved in attacks and cross-border smuggling, according to the Iranian government.
The province, which is located about 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) southeast of Tehran, has frequent fighting between Iranian security forces and the armed groups.
Recurrent clashes between Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, and Sunni and Shiite fighters and drug traffickers have occurred in the area.
