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Goke Bajowa advises gospel artistes against makingimmoral songs

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Goke Bajowa advises gospel artistes against makingimmoral songs

Veteran gospel minister, Goke Bajowa, has said that some gospel songs these days fall below the moral standard expected of them.

Bajowa, who is planning to celebrate the 25-year anniversary of his music ministry, told Sunday Scoop, “The quality of music being pushed out these days has become so poor because people who are not mature enough to be musicians are out there doing different things.

“However, the word, ‘secular’, does not necessarily mean bad, ungodly, or evil. It just means that it is not faith-based. A song can be secular and still be good, as long as it does not compromise generally acknowledged moral standards.

“If a particular song had originally been associated with certain artistes, concepts or ideologies that fall below the moral standards of what the gospel stands for, then it is wrong to feature such in Christian gatherings because it will remind the audience about the source it came from, even if it is done now in a Christian gathering.

“We (gospel artistes) have to be mindful of the lyrics we use in our songs.”

The singer added, “I would like to see more songs that are edifying and glorifying the name of the Lord; as well as decent dressing among gospel acts. There should also be more collaboration, support and love for one another, especially to help the younger generations grow properly.”

Bajowa also disclosed that he was working on a new album, a mini-concert, and a Thanksgiving event to celebrate his career of 25 years. He said, “I am working on a new album titled, Covenant of Mercy. I am also planning a Thanksgiving concert.”

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There’s a better way to develop Africa than aid– Elumelu

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There’s a better way to develop Africa than aid– Elumelu

Billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, has expressed a commitment to eradicating poverty on the African continent through the empowerment of entrepreneurs.

Elumelu said this on Friday at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme and announcement of the 2024 beneficiaries of the programme which held at the UBA building in Marina, Lagos.

The founder TEF added that the motive for the foundation was to show practical example to the world that there is a better way to develop Africa than through foreign aids.

According to African Arguments, since 1960, Africa has received billions of dollars in aid. In the last 30 years alone, one estimate puts aid to the continent at $1.2tn, though distributed very unevenly across the continent.

Elumelu said, “This is just phase one and we are just getting started. Unless and until we eradicate poverty in Africa by Africans leading and showing the way, we cannot stop. We have 1.2 billion people in Africa, the poverty level is very high, our young ones are over 60 per cent, and we need to create jobs for them. We need them to empower to create jobs for themselves. That is why we do what we do. We are just getting started, we aspire to increase our impact and scale. We want to do more.”

Responding to questions about the future of the foundation, Elumelu said that TEF keeps track of beneficiaries and how they are doing.

“For us, what gets measured, gets done. We track how the beneficiaries are succeeding and impacting humanity, society and their communities. They have generated $1.2bn in revenue in their businesses. All have not succeeded but we told ourselves from the beginning that it was not about 100 per cent success, that even if 40, 50 per cent of our beneficiaries succeed, let’s through them eradicate poverty but more importantly show others. We are trying to crowd others into this space of entrepreneurship. We are trying to encourage other Africans and global citizens that we are in the 21st century there is a better way to give, a better way to develop Africa than just aid.

“If you ask for impact, we have created jobs, we have grown businesses but more importantly we have shown the light, we have told people in Africa our young people need support, mentors, and financial support to help them start their business and collectively we can develop Africa in a manner that is truly sustainable in the 21st century.”

Elumelu, whose birthday was on Friday revealed that the announcement of the 2024 beneficiaries of the Entrepreneurship Programme was a worthwhile avenue to mark his birthday.

“Today, I’m plus one and both my family and I, thought there was no better way to celebrate than announcing the 2024 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme beneficiaries. 1,104 beneficiaries as you heard from our partners from EY. These 1,104 young men and women from 54 African countries will each receive $5,000 non-refundable seed capital. We believe in spreading luck, we believe in democratising luck.

“We believe in spreading prosperity and we believe that the best way to spread prosperity in Africa is by identifying our young ones, encouraging them and helping them to start their own businesses. This is why we have done this. Awele (his wife) and I started this journey 10 years ago. We sought to democratise luck and improve lives. We are happy with the results we are seeing today.

“Today, over 20,000 young men and women from across Africa have received over $100m in support of their projects. We are happy to see our young ones progressing. We are happy to see that what we started alone as Tony Elumelu Foundation, we have been able to identiy and partner with other global institutions.

“Today is a day of impact, a day of gratitude and most importantly a day of reflection for me personally because God has been kind in so many ways to me,” he said.

He added that the foundation was set up not out of abundance but a desire to spread prosperity, saying, “My family and I do what we do not from the abundance of wealth but the realisation that poverty anywhere is a threat to us everywhere and that we cannot live alone in prosperity.

“Today, I’m happy that we have continued to spread that prosperity not just in Nigeria, not just in our family but in all 54 African countries. I’m that in our lifetime we are able to impact the next generation.”

In his presentation at the event, EY Partner, Damilola Aloba, who disclosed the beneficiaries and the methodology used in selecting them said that the 1,104 beneficiaries were selected from the 54 African countries.

He said “TEF appointed EY to review the 2024 applications. There were 1485 applications from Nigeria, 240 from Benin Republic and 825 from the rest of Africa. We looked at the feasibility of the ideas, business plans, financial knowledge of the applicants, leadership of the business and their entrepreneurship skills.”

A shortlist was arrived at which consisted of 590 applicants from Nigeria, 109 from Benin Republic and 405 from the rest of Africa.

TEF was founded in 2010 and the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme was launched in 2015. Since the, the Foundation has trained over 1.5 million young Africans on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed nearly $100m in direct funding to over 20,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 400,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Also speaking during the event, the co-founder of TEF, Dr Awele Elumelu, expressed delight at the success of the foundation and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity in shaping the future of Africa.

“It’s been a wonderful journey so far. From the beginning, we had a clear vision of eradicating poverty and empowering African men and women. We have indeed fulfilled a promise today. I express my gratitude to all the participants from 2015 when the programme started,” she said.

A beneficiary of the TEF in 2015 and founder of Mama Moni, Nkem Okocha, appreciated the foundation for the opportunity and its impact in Africa.

NLC writes INEC, warns against planned LP national convention

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NLC writes INEC, warns against planned LP national convention

The Nigeria Labour Congress has written the Independent National Electoral Commission, urging it to halt any support for the national convention of the Labour Party scheduled for March 27, 2024.

In a Friday letter addressed to the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, the NLC accused the Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, and his associates of planning an illegal convention in defiance of court orders.

The NLC’s solicitors, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, in the letter dated March 22, 2024, highlighted the illegality of such a gathering, citing previous court rulings that declared the Labour Party’s status and ordered inclusive conventions.

The NLC, in the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, threatened legal action if INEC failed to comply with the demand to prevent what they deemed a breach of justice and the rule of law.

The congress’ letter was titled, “Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024.

NLC writes INEC

It read, “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress, on whose behalf we write this letter.

“It has come to our notice that Mr Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party, and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a national convention of the Labour Party on March 27, 2024, at Abia, Abia State, with the active connivance of some officials of the commission under your able leadership.

“As you are no doubt aware, a national convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party and 3 Ors. vs. Com. Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as ‘an institutional political party founded, promoted, and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers.’ and thus ordered the factions to ‘convene an expansive and inclusive national convention of the party.’ Please find attached a CTC of the judgment.

“Similarly, the plaintiffs in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021 between Labour Party & 9 Ors. vs. Barrister Julius Abure& 2 Ors. had approached the Federal High Court seeking, inter alia, an order of injunction in favour of the plaintiffs restraining the first (Barrister Julius Abure), second (Umar Farouk), and third (Barr. Akingbade Samuel Oyelakin) defendants, or any and/or all of the national officers appointed in any manner violative of the orders of the Federal High Court in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. vs. Com. Salisu Muhammed & Ors.”

It further read, “In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday, July 23, 2021, ruled, ‘An order is hereby made for the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in order not to disturb the res of the matter pending further order of this court.’ Attached is a CTC of the order.

“In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to restrain officials of the commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for the rule of law by attending the illegal convention.

“Take notice that unless you comply with the foregoing request forthwith, we shall approach the Federal High Court and institute contempt proceedings against you.”

NLC, LP crises

According Online reported that the NLC stormed the national secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja on Wednesday to protest the party’s national convention planned for the end of this month.

Recently, there has been back-and-forth dragging between the congress and its political wing and the LP.

The leadership crisis rocking the LP took on a different dimension last Saturday after the National Working Committee of the opposition party accused the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, of desperately seeking to replace its National Chairman, Abure.

NDPC plans data protection training for Ondo youths

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NDPC plans data protection training for Ondo youths

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has restated its readiness to work with state governments to promote a culture of data protection that would also help create employment opportunities for young people in the state.

The commission’s National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, revealed this when he received the deputy governor of Ondo State, Olayide Adelami, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Head of Media Unit, NDPC, Itunu Dosekun, on Saturday in Abuja.

Adelami said the purpose of his visit was to explore possible areas of collaboration between the NDPC and the state in a way that fosters development for the people of the state.

He said, “Our government is passionate about youth development, and one of the ways to ensure our youths are gainfully employed is to equip them with the right skills, needed for the 21st-century workplace.

“In view of this, we have identified ICT as one key area to upskill our youths and expand their capabilities so as to be globally competitive.

“My visit is to meet with the team at NDPC to establish a partnership that will enable us to train thousands of young graduates in Ondo State as data protection officers, realising the enormous opportunity in this field.”

Olatunji, while commending the move by the Ondo government to explore the potential of data protection in empowering its young citizens, decried what he described as the dearth of data protection officers in Nigeria, reiterating that only 10,000 out of 500,000 available positions are currently filled.

He commended the deputy governor’s understanding of the importance of data protection.

He said, “Unauthorised access to data will lead to breaches, and breaches will lead to lots of implications, such as reputational damage, financial loss, and in extreme cases, death.”

He acknowledged the Ondo State Government’s commitment to addressing this issue and its potential to enhance trust and confidence in governance.

The statement added that Olatunji accepted the proposed collaboration, expressing the commission’s eagerness to work with the state government to promote a culture of data protection, enhance capacity, and create employment opportunities within the state.

“Jobs will be available for youths of Ondo State when they are trained and certified as Data Protection Officers, which will also give room for global competition,” he said.

This collaborative effort between NDPC and the Ondo State Government signifies a significant step towards harnessing data protection for youth development and governance enhancement, ultimately contributing to the progress and prosperity of Ondo state and Nigeria as a whole.

On June 12, 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed the Data Protection Bill into law to advance the privacy rights and other fundamental freedoms of Nigerians both in cyberspace and in analogue transactions.

Russian TV shows questioning of Moscow attack suspects

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Russian TV shows questioning of Moscow attack suspects

Russian television on Saturday aired footage of the detention and questioning of four men suspected of carrying out the deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall.

Russia’s Channel One television showed footage of four suspects and their damaged white Renault car.

It said they were captured by special forces in the village of Khatsun in the western Bryansk region, which is close to borders with Ukraine and Belarus.

In footage shot at night and in daylight, the detained men speak Russian with an accent.

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for Friday night’s attack, when a group of gunmen opened fire at Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow and set it ablaze.

They killed at least 133 people.

The interior ministry said Saturday that all four suspected gunmen were foreign nationals.

A Russian MP has said some of those detained are from Tajikistan, an impoverished post-Soviet state that borders Afghanistan and whose nationals have participated in previous IS attacks.

“What were you doing at Crocus?” a young bearded man seated on the ground is asked.

“I shot people.. for money,” he answers in broken Russian. He goes on to say he was offered “half a million rubles ($5,425)” and had received half of it on a bank card.

– Contacted on Telegram –

Those who had hired them had supplied them with the weapons, he added, corresponding with him on the Telegram secure messaging platform without giving their names.

The footage also shows one suspect being led along on a snowy track in a forest. The dark-haired man in a light brown T-shirt has blood pouring down his cheek from his ear.

He too is shown being questioned with a bandage wrapped around his head, his lips and nose bloodied and swollen.

Asked what the suspected attackers did with their weapons, he says they were left “somewhere on the road”.

Earlier, a graphic video was posted online, apparently showing the detention of the same suspect.

It showed a man in camouflage cutting off part of the ear of a dark-haired man, trying to make him eat it and then hitting him on the face.

Russian television showed other suspects with cuts to their faces.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that Chechen soldiers had helped the FSB security service capture the suspects.

 

Belarus said that it had assisted Russia in detaining the men “to prevent them from leaving through our common border”.

 

None of those questioned mentioned either Islamic State or Ukraine in the footage broadcast.

 

Russian officials have not mentioned the Islamic State group in their public statements, but President Vladimir Putin said Saturday the suspects had been planning to cross the border into Ukraine.

Kyiv firmly denies any involvement and has dismissed any suggestion the gunmen could have been heading into Ukraine.

Russia has said it has detained 11 people including four suspected gunmen.

AFP

Doma FC coach blames injury after draw with Gombe United

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Doma FC coach blames injury after draw with Gombe United

Coach of Doma United Football Club, Akinade Onigbinde, has blamed his team’s 1-1 draw against Gombe United on injury suffered by players as well as the absence of those who went abroad for trial.

Onigbinde disclosed this on Saturday during his post-match conference at Pantami Township Stadium, Gombe.

Our correspondent reports that the two Gombe-based teams are meeting this season for the second time.

Gombe United’s Nnaji scored in the 12th minute before Usman of Doma FC  equalised 64 minutes into the match.

According to him, the team would have done better, but the challenges hinged on injury and travel for better opportunities, adding that it harmed the output.

Onigbinde said, “It is not a good game. Our intention was to pick our three points at home, but I don’t know what we are backing. If you try to block a loophole here, there is another loophole there.

“We are having issues, and I believe we are going to get over it very soon. Some of our players are back sitting on the bench. By the time we start working on players with injury, our next game will not be like this.

“In every team, there must be a problem, and there must be a solution. That is the reason why we have to have 25 per cent quality players in the team. We have injured players on the ground, and some have travelled abroad for trials; this has really affected the team. I believe we will bounce back gradually, but all I know is that the team will not go down.”

While expressing hope that Doma FC will survive the current moment, he said, “I have assurance that the team will not go to relegation. Having a problem is a learning process. We are also learning. This is our second time in the premier league, and we cannot just say we are going to be among the top teams.

“This is a private team, and the man is trying his possible best that the team achieves something. We are trying, and we will bounce back. It’s just a matter of time, and before time goes out of hand, we will make it. We have a match at Wakpa. If we can play the way we did today, I believe we would pick something out of it.”

To the disappointment of fans, Onigbinde pleaded for more time to make amend, saying “I will just tell them sorry and that they should be patient with us, we would get back from where we stopped.”

Endrick makes history as Brazil beat England

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Endrick makes history as Brazil beat England

Brazil’s new boss Dorival Junior started his bid to revive the five-time world champions with a 1-0 win against England as teenage sensation Endrick bagged his first international goal in Saturday’s friendly at Wembley.

Coming off their worst period for over 60 years, Brazil hope Dorival Junior can trigger a revival in time to challenge for the 2026 World Cup.

This was a first significant step in the right direction for the Selecao, who marked their manager’s debut with victory against an England side expected to make a strong challenge to win Euro 2024.

On a cathartic evening for Brazil after their wretched 2023, it was fitting the highly-rated Endrick bagged Brazil’s late winner.

The Palmeiras forward, due to join Real Madrid in July, has been tipped to succeed Neymar as Brazil’s latest superstar and his match-winning cameo appearance off the bench was a suitable coming of age moment in his third appearance.

Aged 17 years and 246 days, Endrick is the youngest senior international goal-scorer at Wembley.

Endrick’s emergence is a breath of fresh air for Brazil after an unusually stale period for the Selecao.

Snubbed by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and frustrated by the failings of two caretaker managers, Dorival Junior has been tasked with ensuring Brazil qualify for the World Cup.

The 61-year-old left Sao Paolo to take charge of Brazil in January, moving into world football’s most scrutinised job at a time when his country had just finished a calender year with more defeats (five) than wins (three) for the first time since 1963.

Beaten in three consecutive World Cup qualifiers for the first time ever, the team’s confidence is at its lowest ebb since the 7-1 humiliation against Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.

Brazil lost a World Cup qualifier at home for the first time when Argentina beat them in November, leaving them facing a nervous fight to qualify for the 2026 tournament.

But in the dynamic display of Vinicius Junior, the emergence of Endrick and the combative performances of his team-mates, Brazil have cause for optimism at last.

They will aim to build on the momentum from their first win over England since 2009 in another friendly against Spain on Tuesday.

•⁠ ⁠Endrick steals spotlight –
England’s spluttering performance featured few highlights, although boss Gareth Southgate will have been encouraged by a lively debut from Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon.

England were wearing their controversial new home shirt for the first time after criticism of manufacturer Nike’s decision to change the colour of the St George’s Cross on the kit.

The debate about the shirt will soon be forgotten, but Southgate won’t have fond memories of its debut as England lost at home for the first time in 21 games.

Belgium’s friendly visit to Wembley on Tuesday represents the last chance for England’s fringe players to impress before Southgate names his Euro squad.

Southgate opted for Ollie Watkins instead of Ivan Toney as England’s central striker, with Harry Kane not risked due to an ankle injury.

But Watkins did little to suggest he could shoulder the burden if Kane were to be injured at the Euros.

In their first meeting for seven years, England were out of sync from the moment Watkins fluffed his lone chance, taking Conor Gallagher’s pass and lashing over from close-range.

England’s stand-in captain Kyle Walker was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 20th minute.

Causing England problems with their pace and movement, Brazil were inches away from taking the lead when Lucas Paqueta’s shot from 12 yards cannoned back off the post.

They went close again when the error-prone Harry Maguire’s woeful backpass was intercepted by Raphinha for a low strike that flashed just wide.

Endrick stole the spotlight in the 80th minute when the teenager tapped in, defying England’s appeals for offside after Vinicius’s shot was saved by Jordan Pickford.

Nigeria scales global aviation safety, security audit 

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Nigeria scales global aviation safety, security audit 

Nigeria has excelled in the just concluded International Civil Aviation Organisation Universal Safety Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach-CMA.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Obiageli Orah, revealed this in a statement on Saturday evening.

“The objective of the USAP-CMA was to promote global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of member states’ aviation security performance to enhance their aviation security compliance and oversight capabilities,” FAAN said.

The outcome of the audit was highlighted during the Audit Debrief session, chaired by Team Lead Callum Vine, on Friday, March 22, at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority headquarters located in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

In attendance at the debrief were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Emmanuel Meribole, who represented the Minister, and the acting Director General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo.

According to FAAN, achieving aviation safety objective involved the regular and continuous collection and analysis of data about member states’ aviation security performance.

This includes evaluating the implementation level of critical elements within their aviation security oversight systems and assessing compliance with the Standards of Annex 17—Security and relevant security-related Standards of Annex 9 — Facilitation.

Commenting on the result, Vine, Nigeria has performed admirably across most key indicators, earning praise for its robust policies and agencies with clear mandates on airport security.

He commended the country for its swift response to identified deficiencies, noting the efficiency with which personnel addressed them without any complaints.

Vine further elaborated that the comprehensive report of the audit will be furnished to Nigeria by ICAO within 60 days.

Subsequently, the country will have 30 days to provide comments, followed by the expectation to submit a plan outlining steps to achieve compliance with the organization’s standards.

During the debriefing, the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, explained that the authority will utilize the audit results as a guiding roadmap for the ongoing enhancement of services provided to airport users and stakeholders.

She called upon all stakeholders to collaborate closely, exchange best practices, and remain vigilant in upholding the highest standards of security within the Nigerian aviation industry.

Kuku expressed gratitude to all government agencies, security bodies, government institutions, and heads of aviation agencies for their invaluable contributions to this remarkable achievement.

AFCON champions Ivory Coast held by Benin in friendly

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AFCON champions Ivory Coast held by Benin in friendly

Ivory Coast came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Benin on Saturday, the African champion’s first match since winning a third AFCON title in February.

Junior Olaitan scored a brace on either side of the break as 98th-ranked Benin looked to shock Ivory Coast in Amiens, France.

Former Leeds and Bournemouth winger Max-Alain Gradel, 36, got the Elephants level just shy of the half-hour mark, before breaking down in tears at scoring in his farewell match for the team he represented over 100 times.

Oumar Diakite then cancelled out Olaitan’s second in the 69th minute as a much-changed Ivory Coast side avoided defeat in their first outing since winning the AFCON final 2-1 against Nigeria in Abidjan.

AFP

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Eriksson fulfils lifelong dream managing Liverpool in charity game

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Eriksson fulfils lifelong dream managing Liverpool in charity game

Sven-Goran Eriksson said he had fulfilled a lifelong dream by managing Liverpool Legends in a charity match against Ajax Legends at Anfield on Saturday.

The 76-year-old former England boss revealed in January he had “best case a year” to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

At the time the Swede, whose long career in club management included spells in charge of Manchester City and Lazio, revealed his lifelong love for Liverpool and how he had always wished to be manager of the club one day.

His dream became a reality on Saturday as Eriksson, alongside former Liverpool favourites Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge in the home dug-out, helped oversee a 4-2 win.

Eriksson said afterwards he had shed tears before kick-off, when he received a standing ovation from the crowd as he walked out onto the pitch, with fans singing the Liverpool anthem of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

“That will be a huge memory in life,” said Eriksson. “Absolutely beautiful.

“To sit on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my whole life. Now it happened, and it was a beautiful day in all meanings.

“The crowd, the game, the players, everything, fantastic, and thank you to Liverpool for giving me this opportunity, to invite me to such an important game – it’s not points but the importance of the game is incredible.

“It was full of emotions, tears coming. It’s been my dream club all my life — even when I had England, I also supported Liverpool, but I couldn’t say it at that time.

“It’s a good finish, to finish with Liverpool, it can’t be much better than that,” added Eriksson, who guided England to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

Liverpool were 2-0 down at half-time on Saturday before Kop-end goals from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres turned the match in their favour.

The Reds were captained by Steven Gerrard, who played under Eriksson for England. “He (Gerrard) is the boss out there –- of course (he still has it)!” said Eriksson.

AFP