COUTINHO ADDS TO LIST OF BARCA PLAYERS BACKING NEYMAR'S RETURN

Ivan Rakitic talked up the possibility of the PSG star returning to the La Liga leaders and his fellow Brazilian has followed suit

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Philippe Coutinho said it would be "awesome" to have Neymar back at Barcelona amid speculation over a possible return to Camp Nou.

Neymar only left Barca for French giants Paris Saint-Germain in August last year – the Brazil star becoming the world's most expensive player after his €222million release clause was activated.

However, the 26-year-old – who is recovering from a broken foot – has been linked with a sensational move to Spanish and European champions Real Madrid, while rumours of a return to Barca have now emerged.

Ivan Rakitic talked up the possibility of Neymar wearing the Barca jersey again following Saturday's 2-0 win over Malaga and Coutinho has now backed his Barcelona team-mate's comments.

"I am thinking as Rakitic does, I would like to have here the best players and Neymar is one of them," said fellow Brazil international Coutinho, who arrived from Liverpool in January.

"I am playing alongside him with Brazil and it's a privilege. It would be awesome to have him back."

Neymar, who suffered a cracked metatarsal in PSG's 3-0 victory over Marseille last month , has scored 28 goals across all competitions this season.

While Barcelona's stars want to see the 26-year-old back in the side, manager Ernesto Valverde says he does not know anything about reports that Neymar could return . 

"I don't know where that has come from," Valverde told reporters on Friday. "Let's not talk about hypothetical situations."

Barca, meanwhile, are 11 points clear atop the La Liga table after 28 matches but are level at 1-1 heading into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Chelsea. 

The La Liga leaders welcome the Premier League champions to Camp Nou on Wednesday. 

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NON-PAYMENT OF SALARIES: C’River workers forced to sleep in uncompleted buildings, churches

NON-PAYMENT OF SALARIES: C’River workers forced to sleep in uncompleted buildings, churches

CALABAR—NUMEROUS workers of the Cross River Geographic Information Agency, CRGIA, and Cross River State Water Board Limited, CRWBL, Calabar, thrown out of their homes by their landlords for inability to pay house rent currently sleep in uncompleted buildings andSome of the affected workers owed a backlog of 15-18 months salaries by the state government have also been dragged to court by the landlords. Penultimate Thursday, angry workers of the two agencies barricaded the Governor’s Office, Calabar, saying they were exhausted. They noted that different government officials had promised them that something would be done when the arrears were about six months, only to surprisingly renege and now, it has soared to 15 months for CRGIA and 18 months for CRWBL workers. We’re treated like beggars – Ibor, CRGIA worker One of the affected workers and a staff of CRGIA, Nelson Ibor, confirmed that his landlord charged him to court because he could not pay his house rent that elapsed in November, 2017. His words: “Our situation is like a nightmare which we are begging God to wake us up from. We are being owed 15 months salaries while our directors and other management staff have received salaries till date. We are treated like beggars; I have three children and all of them have been sitting at home for more than two terms.” 16 workers thrown out by landlords “To make matters worse, nobody is doing anything about it; we have been left in the dark. As we speak, 16 of my colleagues have been thrown out of their houses already, some sleep in churches while some sleep in uncompleted buildings. We are really suffering. His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade should look into our plight because it has already gotten out of hands. Many of us collected bank loans that we do not even know how to pay back,” he asserted. “As I speak with you, I will be appearing in court on Tuesday, my landlord sued me because I have not paid him since July, last year. Two of my children have dropped out of school, I am a widower, and I have three children. I now live from hand to mouth. We generated a lot of money in 2017 – over N200 million – I do not understand why they have turned us to beggars. We live at the mercy of friends and good spirited people. I and my children live in uncompleted building  –  Casual staff A casual staff said: “I now live in an uncompleted building with my children and my wife had to go back to the village, Okpoma in Yala. Because I cannot afford to allow my children to drop out of school, I live in an unfinished building with my children hoping that I will be able to raise money before the end of March to pay rent, even if it is a one-room apartment. “We were thrown out in November last year because I have owed my landlord for a year and two months, he ran out of patience and I do not blame him at all. Not everyone will even be as patient as he was with me for that long. “We are pleading with His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade and Commissioner for Lands to please help us, they should pay our money, we are dying, we have become destitute and internally displaced persons, IDPs, in our own land. A labourer deserves his wages, we have worked, we should also be paid,” he asserted.  SOS to Gov. Ayade In a letter to the governor, CRGIA workers said: “We want to bring to the notice of Your Excellency the non-payment of salaries at CRGIA for over 15 months. It would interest you to know that the agency generated N260 million in 2017, N400 million in 2016 while it generated N800 million in 2015, but our salary was just a meager 55 million, yet, nobody wants to attend to our plight. “We are appealing to His Excellency to come to our aid and help us clear the backlog of our salaries, most of our colleagues have died, many are sleeping in churches because they have been thrown out of their houses, we are going through a lot of psychological, physical and emotional   trauma because of this ugly development,” they said. CRWBL workers also cry out On their part, CRWBL staff, who also blocked the entrance to the Governor’s Office, demanded their 18 months salaries, adding that they could no longer continue to work without pay. “They owe us for one year and six months. Many of our counterparts have died, some of us have put in 12 years as ad-hoc staff (casual workers), we want the meager allowances to be paid now, some of us receive as low as N25,000, yet they have owed us this money for 18 months. We know Ayade has a listening ear, he should help us. 6 staff almost suffocated in the office last week’ “We are the heart of Water Board, amongst us, we have highly technical personnel who have been working with water board for over a decade, yet they have not been absorbed into the system. “But that is not even our problem now, they should pay us, those who work in the chemical section, the main people who mix the chlorine and do water treatment. I cannot even remember the last time I got milk from the office. Last week, about six of our colleagues almost suffocated  because they could not get milk,” he stated. Gov working on the matter already- Orji, Commissioner Contacted, Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Odu Orji, said: “The governor whose philosophy is to make sure that there is food on the table of every citizen of the state has already directed an official, Dr Stephen Odey, to take charge of the place in a bid to ensure that the matter was handled appropriately.” “You people should exercise more patience, the matter will be resolved in the soonest possible time,” he assured. Director-General of CRGIA, Patrick Agida, referred our reporter to Mr. Christian Ita, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, who was unreachable as at the time of this report. 

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BBNaija 2018: Ifu Ennada reveals why she was evicted

Evicted Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate, Ifu Ennada has highlighted reason she was evicted from the ongoing reality television show.

Recounting her time on the reality show, Ennada said her refusal to cultivate relationships with fellow housemates led to her exit.Speaking with African Magic, Ennada also said she enjoyed her partnership with Leo who was also evicted, on Sunday.

Ennada said, “The strategic partnership I enjoyed the most was with Leo because with him I won the Pepsi roc-da-mat challenge and the Heritage Bank competition.

“Aside strategic partnership I would have chosen Teddy A because he’s very real and we connected on several level.

“What I realized about the game is that you need relationships to move forward.“As much as I’m like a one man Army, I felt like If I had gotten more involved with people or even faked relationships I would probably have continued.”

Recall that Ennada, alongside, Leo were on Sunday evicted from the ongoing show.

Speaking after she was evicted, Ennada gave reason for not cultivating romantic relationship while on the show.

According to her, she decided not to be in a relationship this year but can only kiss a guy and move on.

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BBNaija 2018: Nina emerges Head of House for week 6

Controversial Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate,Nina has emerged the head of house, (HoH) for Week 6.

Nina won the Head of House after a task involving 4 housemates who qualified for the final challenge.The 10 housemates had competed in an egg and tape challenge after which Nina, Miracle, Tobi and Cee-c qualified for the final round.

However, for the final HOH challenge, the four finalists, were made to arrange letters to form, ” Head of House.”

At the end, Nina luckily picked all letters before other housemates.

Meanwhile, housemates would henceforth be separated from being pairs and there will be no immunity for the Head of House.

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BBNaija 2018: Why I was evicted – Leo

Leo, one of the evicted Big Brother Naija 2018 housemates, has opined why he was voted out.

Recall that Leo, was on Sunday evicted alongside his strategic partner, Ifu Ennadaafter having the lowest vote.Leo, however, claimed his eviction might not be unconnected with his pair, winning the Pepsi Roc Da Mat challenge and the Heritage bank Challenge.

According to him viewers of the reality show did not vote ”Lifu” because they felt they won two challenges and should rather vote others who are yet to win anything.

Speaking to African Magic, Leo said, ”Eviction was inevitable for us because we won the Pepsi and Heritage bank challenge.

”I mean we have a VVIP ticket, capital, money in the bank.”So as a voter, the fist thing I will look at is that the pair ”Lifu” already have a foundation, so let us help people that have gotten nothing from the house.”

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BBNaija 2018: Cee-c’s family reacts to recent fight with Tobi

Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate, Cee-c’s family has reacted to the heated argument involving her and former strategic partner, Tobi.

Recall that following Tobi’s accusation that Cee-c touched his manhood, viewers of the reality show blasted the former strategic partners for their immature acts.However, Cee-c’s family on her official instagram page@cee_official, said although they had a lot of unanswered questions concerning the fight, they do not understand Cee-c and Tobi.

The statement read, ”Just before I went to bed last night I did a short prayer.

“Lord please no Cebi drama when I wake, Amen.

”And Voila! Enough Cebi drama to last me a lifetime. And to even see that they made up and lay on the same bed after such heated moment. Like who does that?”Even most married couples don’t make up that fast!

”I’m done with these two. Can’t be troubling myself over what I don’t understand. But I sure have a lot of questions unanswered.”

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CHELSEA LEGEND DROGBA REVEALS RETIREMENT PLAN AFTER TURNING 40

The iconic Ivorian striker is planning to hang up his boots once an upcoming campaign with American side Phoenix Rising comes to a closeChelsea legend Didier Drogba has announced that he is to retire at the end of an upcoming campaign with Phoenix Rising.

The iconic Ivorian striker will take part in the 2018 USL season, but will then hang up his boots.

Drogba turned 40 on Sunday and feels that the time is right to walk away after more than two decades in the game.

He told Telefoot: "It's really a pleasure for me to play.

"I started late at the top level. I really enjoy playing. I like my role of owner-player a lot. I'm surrounded by a lot of youngsters, and I like passing my know-how on to them. But this season is the last. I'm 40, it's time now."

Drogba made his debut for Le Mans at the age of 20 in 1998.

He would go on to take in spells with Guingamp and Marseille before joining Chelsea for £24 million in the summer of 2004.

Over the course of two spells at Stamford Bridge he plundered over 150 goals while securing four Premier League titles and the Champions LeagueA glittering career has also taken him to Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray and MLS side Montreal Impact.

Age has finally caught up with him, but the Drogba dynasty looks set to continue as eldest son Isaac recently linked up with the Guingamp youth academy.

Drogba could also return to France at some stage, with a non-playing position at Marseille appealing to a man who has achieved just about everything on the field.

He added: "We'll have to see what is offered. I'm always ready to help.

"In any case, Marseille are showing good things this year. Rudi Garcia's project is taking shape, they're building a team with young players. It's excellent to stay in the top three with a team like that. As a fan, I have a lot of faith in them

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