XCLUSIVE 9JA NEWS

Lionel Messi has sent an emotional festive message to his former team-mate Neymar in which he admits Barcelona are still missing the Brazilian.  Neymar left Messi and Barcelona to join big-spending Paris Saint-Germain in August for a world-record £198million fee. The Brazilian’s move to Paris broke up the formidable South American front three of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez at the Nou Camp. And Messi recalled moments the trio shared while they were all at Barcelona including times they drunk ‘mate’, a South American hot drink.  ‘Well, Ney… I think we said practically everything to each other when you left,’ Messi said in the Christmas message to his former team-mate.   ‘The truth is that here we are still missing you. We would like to keep sharing the mates [a South American hot drink] in the morning with Luis [Suarez] in the dressing room and many more things. ‘Like always, I wish you the best wherever you are and I’m sure we will cross again on or off the pitch very

A 28-year-old man identified as Nwaka John from Imo state left Nigeria in June 23, 2017 with the intention to enter Europe but ended up being stranded in Libya. “I spent 5 days in the desert where I have to drink somebody’s urine in order to survive. Out of 104 of us that started the journey only 81 made it to Libya, 23 others died in the desert. This journey is indeed a suicide mission,” John lamented. The computer engineering graduate was among the 157 Nigeria migrants that were brought home by IOM from Libya on Wednesday 27 December 2017. This latest flight is the 30th chartered flight IOM has organized so far in 2017 that has brought home 6327 stranded Nigeria migrants from Libya under the EU Funded project “Migration Governance and Reintegration in Nigeria”.  CREDIT: NH

Congratulations are in order for the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, who has welcomed a bouncing baby boy after many years of waiting. The baby was reportedly given birth to on Monday, December 25th. Both the mother and baby are in good health, according to reports. Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo is the first daughter of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is married to Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, a member of the House of Representatives.

In a profession where most athletes are encouraged to continue to make their physiques bigger, scarier and more outlandish, WWE superstar Big Show’s dramatic weight loss has captured the imagination of many. Billed for much of his career as the “world’s largest athlete,” Big Show’s weight has been listed as high as 500 pounds at various stages of his career. And despite working 200 days a year for two decades in a physically rigorous environment, Big Show wasn’t exactly a picture of health. A pretty poor diet contributed to his massive size — which originally stemmed from a tumor that formed on his pituitary gland during childhood — and the 45-year-old, whose real name is Paul Wight, decided enough was enough. Big Show has charted his new commitment to slimming down and toning up on social media, and he’s been an inspiration to many. But it hasn’t been easy. “It was definitely a conscious decision. You don’t make the transformation I’ve made without a serious commitment to

Rihanna 's cousin was shot and killed this week ... just a day after she'd seen him for Christmas in her native home of Barbados. RiRi posted a tribute Tuesday to her late relative,   Tavon Alleyne , saying, "RIP cousin... can't believe it was just last night that I held you in my arms! never thought that would be the last time I felt the warmth in your body!!! Love you always man!  Tavon -- who was just 21 years old -- was shot several times by an unidentified man as he was walking near his home in the St. Michael area of the island.  Cops are on the lookout for the shooter, and have asked the public for any info or leads that could lead to his capture.  RIP e."

Religious tolerance. Here are trending pictures of Shiite Muslims who gathered in their numbers to celebrate the Christmas with Christians in Jos, Plateau state. The Muslims in the spirit of the festivity – joined other Christians at the Cathedral Church for series of events marked the celebrate Christmas as they even posed for pictures afterwards. http:bizfemstores.wordpress.com

It's Christmas and  Cristiano Ronaldo,  Lionel Messi and Neymar are among the stars to have shared photos of their family celebrations. Ronaldo and  Messi  went head-to-head at the Bernabeu on Saturday but they are both now enjoying a week off over the festive period with La Liga set to resume in the new year. Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo shared a picture of himself and his extended family, including the three new additions we met in 2016. He wrote next to his photo: "Merry Christmas, peace, love God and health = family." Messi, meanwhile, posed for a picture with his wife, Antonella, and their two children, Thiago and Mateo... along with Father Christmas himself. He captioned it: "Merry Christmas to all!" Messi's former team-mate Neymar, who swapped Barcelona for Paris during the summer, spent the day with his family and shared photos of himself with his mother, father and sister. Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva, meanwhil

Cristiano Ronaldo met with £39.6m wonder kid Vinicius Jr as the Brazilian visited Real Madrid for El Clasico match. The Flamengo starlet was visiting his next club with Los Blancos agreeing a £39.6m deal for the 17-year-old last summer. The deal ensures Vinicius Jr will remain in Rio de Janeiro on loan next season, but his move will be rubber stamped next summer after turning 18 years of age. The future of Real Madrid looked delighted to meet arguably the club’s greatest ever player, paying tribute on social media. “Best in the world,” Vinicius Jr wrote in Portuguese, English and Spanish with five trophies to signify the five Ballon d’Ors Ronaldo has won in his career. The Rubro-Negro have eased Vinicius Jr into first team football, but he has still managed four goals and an assist in Serie A in 32 appearances.  

Former Premier League star  Emmanuel Eboue  has lifted the lid on the bitter divorce battle with wife Aurelie that stripped him of all his assets. The ex-  Arsenal  ace earned millions during his seven years in England's top-flight where he lived in a mansion and drove flashy cars. However, Eboue, who is unable to play football because of ill-health, has been pushed to the brink of suicide after finding himself in a downward spiral. The Ivorian even had to hide from cops and bailiffs after being ordered by a judge to transfer his remaining Enfield home to his wife. He hasn't since his three kids since June. Eboue, who has his belongings in bags, said: “I can’t afford the money to continue to have any lawyer or barrister. "I am in the house but I am scared. Because I don’t know what time the police will come.“I am not going to sell my clothes or sell what I have. I will fight until the end because it is not fair.” It is now three weeks since a deadline

May Lord bless you and your loved ones with unlimited moments of joy and love.  Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

May the reasons to celebrate happiness be as numerous as the stars in the sky.  Merry Christmas and happy New Year! HON.TAIYE AYEDUN [SHANANA] SSA  TO GOVERNOR AMBODE ON CIVIC MATTERS

This is really nice… A kind-hearted Nigerian, Akinaka Richard, has got himself trending online after showing a random act of kindness to less-privileged children. The philanthropist who was in a G-wagon spotted 7 young boys fetching firewood to sell as he decided to give them N5,000 each to buy Christmas clothes ahead of the festivity. The philanthropist also gave money to a small boy whom he saw hawking goods on the road to get himself something for the Christmas. Sharing the news on Facebook yesterday, Akinaka Richard wrote; I came across this kids this afternoon who reminded me of how the anxiety of not having something new to wear in the festive period would push me to do similar things to raise money just to get something new for the season. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on where God has brought me from but importantly it was an opportunity to appreciate the depth of their struggles..

Football legend, Thierry Henry, has arrived Nigeria for the first time. The former Arsenal star arrived Lagos today as part of the Guinness Made of Black programme.  During his time in Nigeria, the international football icon will meet winners of the ‘Be a Front Row Fan’ consumer promotion, which is currently running across the country. He will join them to watch the West Brom v Manchester United EPL game at Landmark event centre Victoria Island and celebrate their passion for football and their Made of Black spirit in the ultimate viewing centre event. He will also officially unveil Nigeria’s brand new Made of Black brand ambassador and join well known names at an exclusive Nigerians Made of Black celebration event.

'Four men robbery gang parading as F-SARS operatives met their end today in Ogbogoro community in Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State'.

While Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City stars rightly take the credit for their incredible season so far... ultimately one man has made the club's incredible new age possible. Sheikh Mansour, worth £17billion, took over at the Etihad in 2008 when he purchased the club for £210million. As well as his interests in sport, which extend to Melbourne City, New York City and horse racing, Mansour is the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. Here, we take a look inside the crazy life of the owner of English football's best side... Sheikh Mansour is the owners of City Football Group, comprising of Manchester City FC, Melbourne City FC and New York City FC. He is also the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and has a number of other business ventures, including Virgin Galactic. Transformation in Man City Since the Sheikh's arrival at Manchester City, the club has undergone a sensational transformation. They have