Ranieri isn't feeling nervous as Leicester close in on the title

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The 64-year-old insists he is calm despite the fact that victory over Manchester United on Sunday could hand his Foxes side their first ever Premier League title.

Claudio Ranieri is not suffering from nerves despite Leicester City being one win away from clinching a historic Premier League title.

The Foxes are currently seven points clear at the summit after second-placed Tottenham failed to keep pace with Ranieri's men, drawing 1-1 with West Brom on Monday with just three games remaining.

Leicester travel to the home of 20-time champions Manchester United on Sunday knowing that victory would be enough to secure them the title, though a defeat for Tottenham at Chelsea next Monday would also be sufficient.

And despite the magnitude of the occasion, Ranieri says he is feeling calm and that Leicester are approaching their game with Louis van Gaal's United like any other.

“Now is the real chance to win the title,” Ranieri said. “Next season, you never know. It is once in a lifetime.  “Next season, United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal will all be at the top.

“But we are fighting. I am pragmatic man and we need three points more.

“We are fighting to make this dream a reality, but it isn’t yet. I can understand all the happiness around the city, but we have to work.

“Sunday will be a very tough match and I have a lot of respect for Louis van Gaal and their fans, but we go with the same mentality.

“It is like the Hollywood movies. We want a happy ending. "I am relaxed because I watch my players. They train well, enjoy and help each other. It's important to prepare well.”

Wilfred Ndidi expresses relief at Super Eagles chance

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The former junior international has said that he never doubted his ability despite his inability to make his debut for the senior team previously and will take his chance now.

KRC Genk midfielder, Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi has expressed relief at another invitation to the Super Eagles with a promise to make a good impression with the coaches this term.

Ndidi had received previous call ups before now but is yet to play in an official match for the Nigeria senior team and that he would ensure to make the best use of the chance presented him during the two international friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg slated for France and Luxembourg City on May 27 and June 1 respectively.

“I am grateful to God for this chance. I was last invited by the Eagles’ coaches during one of the games in Port Harcourt last year under coach Sunday Oliseh but I was not given enough chance to prove myself. I will ensure I seize this opportunity with both hands. Nothing will stop my ambition to play for my country," Ndidi told Goal.

“Even though I was not used in the previous call up I believe so much in my ability that if I continue to play very well for my club, it will give me an access to be called up again.”

The 91-year-old defender has been a super regular for his Belgian side, making 30 appearances and scoring two goals, and they are currently playing in the season ending play off to determine the League champions. Genk are fourth on the log with 33 points and are facing Club Brugge away in the next round of matches on Friday evening.

He last found the back of the net on April 20 when he scored a brilliant goal - the curtain raiser in their 4-2 thumping of Club Brugge in the first leg played in Genk.   

Pochettino agrees Tottenham contract extension

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The Argentinian has verbally pledged to sign a two-year extension at White Hart Lane, with the manager's deal now set to run until the end of the 2020/21 campaign

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has announced he has verbally agreed a new contract extension, tying him to the club until 2021.

Pochettino took over at White Hart Lane in 2014 and had been linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

But the Argentine has now committed his future to Spurs, who are currently in second place in the Premier League with three matches remaining.  "It's an easy decision," Pochettino told the media ahead of Tottenham's trip to Chelsea on Monday. 

"When you are happy and when you feel the love of the people and the potential of the club is massive. Why change?" Pochettino had also been linked with the Manchester United job, but he insisted he has no plans to leave Tottenham.

"We create a good atmosphere on the training ground and I think we can achieve big things in the future," he said. "I believe in this project and this club. I want to stay here."

Tottenham's trip to Stamford Bridge could prove academic as the title race will be over if Leicester win at United on Sunday.

Pochettino revealed Eric Dier suffered a concussion in the draw against West Brom on Monday and a decision will be made on Sunday whether or not he is able play against Chelsea, while Nabil Bentaleb is "making good progress" but is unavailable.

"Everyone else is fit and available for selection," added Pochettino, who will be unable to call upon the suspended Dele Alli for the rest of the season after the midfielder was handed a three-match ban for a punch on West Brom's Claudio Yacob.

Oil Prices Dip On Looming Output Rise

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Crude oil prices have fallen in early trading today on concerns that a looming rise in middle east output may drag the stronger markets seen in April, although declining US Production and a weakening dollar are still offering support.

According to Deutsche Bank, an imminent rise in production by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries with climbing Iranian output and following outages in Iraq, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates could cap recent oil price rises.

The bank also says it expects crude production for 2017 to be around 33.1 million barrels per day “with upside risk originating from Libya and Saudi Arabia, and downside risks from unplanned outages and spending cuts in Iraq.

Brent crude futures were trading at 47 dollars 92 cents per barrel at 0236 GMT, down 22 cents from their last close but contracts remained near 2016 highs of $48.19

FG Pegs Board Meetings To Save N1 Billion Annually

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The Federal Government has pegged the frequency of meetings for part-time Chairmen and members Committees, Boards of Statutory Corporations and Government-owned companies from eight to four times annually, with savings of over N1 billion per annum, in continuation of its cost cutting drive.

The reduction in the frequency of meetings by such bodies followed a review by the Unit and the discovery that the average annual expenditure on honorarium and sitting allowances between 2012 and 2014 was N12.8 billion.

The Director Information, Ministry of Finance, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta said in a statement that by 2010 part-time Chairmen of government Committees and Boards were paid sitting allowances ranging from N40, 000 to N150,000 per sitting, while members received payments ranging from N30, 000 to N120, 000 per sitting, and the number of sittings has been increased from four to eight per annum.

The Efficiency Unit noted in its recommendation to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that: “While the new allowances per sitting of N40, 000 to N150, 000 and N30, 000 to N120, 000 for Chairmen and Members respectively appear reasonable, the increase in number of meetings from four to eight was rather too high and doubled the cost of sitting allowances for the government.

“A maximum of four meetings was considered adequate for Boards, while other interactions can be conducted using Information Communication Technology (ICT), which is cheaper and already tested in Nigeria,” the Efficiency Unit explained.

Upon accepting the recommendation of the Efficiency Unit to reduce the frequency of meetings by committees and boards of parastatals and agencies, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation recently issued a circular directing the implementation of the reduction of meetings to four per annum, thus bringing standard, transparency and cost cutting in the payment of sitting allowances.

The Efficiency Unit says it will continue with its ongoing efforts and collaboration with the relevant government offices in line with the resolve of the Minister of Finance to remain committed to her cost-cutting initiative, which is one of the tools for achieving fiscal prudence and releasing of funds for capital projects that will support economic growth and improve the living standard of Nigerians.

Amosun, Wife Advocate Hygienic Environment In Ogun

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The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and his wife, Olufunso have led an awareness campaign on the need for a greener environment.

The campaign was part of measures to safe humanity from the current scourge of the effects of depletion of the ozone layer, which has resulted in the excessive heat being experienced across Nigeria.

Addressing market men and women, as well as people of the state during the walk on Friday, Mrs Amosun asked residents to be more responsible and responsive to the environment in order to ensure a healthy life for all.

The awareness campaign was taken round major markets and streets in Abeokuta the state capital.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Dayo Adeneye, also joined the league where residents were enlightened on the need to maintain good personal hygiene to reduce outbreak of diseases.

African Leaders Meet For Giants Club Elephant Summit

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African leaders will meet in Kenya on Friday to discuss how to save the continent’s elephants from extinction.

The inaugural summit of the so-called giants club will be led by the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta.

As well as heads of state, the conservation group will bring together business leaders and scientists.

Experts say Africa’s elephant population has fallen by 90% over the past century and warn that the animal could be extinct within decades.

Among those expected to attend the summit are Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni and President Ali Bongo from the West African nation of Gabon.

After the summit, Kenya will set fire to nearly its entire confiscated stock of ivory, 105 tonnes, and equivalent to the tusks of more than 6,700 elephants.