TheNewsGuru

Tag: Spain

  • EPL: Now I get homesick in Spain – De Gea

    EPL: Now I get homesick in Spain – De Gea

    Manchester United veteran David De Gea has opened up on the challenges of playing win the Premier League early in his career.

    The Spaniard joined United as a 20-year-old and has since gone on to make 487 appearances for the club.

    Now 31, De Gea has explained how difficult it was adapting to life in England.

    “I was 19-20 [when I moved to Manchester] and I came with my mum and dad so my English was really bad at the beginning,” De Gea told United Daily. “It was very tough for me.

    “Everything was different to when I was in Spain – different people and better players here so it was tough at the beginning.

    “Step by step I was learning my English, talking more with the players and now that I am here it is like my home.”

    And De Gea revealed he even misses Manchester when he returns to Spain.

    “It is like my proper home now,” he added.

    “Even when I am in Madrid for holidays or something, I am missing my house and people here. It is great to be here and to be a part of the history of this club is amazing and it is a privilege to be here.”

  • Barca youngster Gavi makes history with Spain goal

    Barca youngster Gavi makes history with Spain goal

    Barcelona youngster Gavi made history with Spain in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic in the Nations League.

    The Czech Republic’s opening strike was the fastest conceded by Luis Enrique’s side in his 39 matches at the helm.

    However for La Roja, they managed to battle back thanks to a historic Gavi goal before the stroke of halftime, who at 17 years and 304 days, became Spain’s youngster ever goalscorer.

    The previous record holder was Barca teammate Ansu Fati, who scored against Ukraine in Valdebebas at 17 years and 311 days.

  • 3-day official visit: Buhari leaves Spain for Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has left Madrid, Spain, for Abuja on Friday after a three-day state visit.

    Newsmen reports that the president’s aircraft took off from the Torrejon Airbase, Madrid at about 8.20 a.m. local time for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    He is expected to be at the weekly Friday Juma’at prayer at the Aso Villa in the afternoon.

    Buhari met with President Pedro Sanchez as well as the Spanish monarch, His Majesty King Felipe VI, on Wednesday.

    At the meeting with President Sanchez, Nigeria and Spain signed nine Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding covering a Treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the transfer of sentenced persons and extradition.

    Others were on economic and commercial cooperation, tourism, sports, health, the fight against COVID-19 and science and innovation.

    On Thursday, President Buhari attended a Political and Business Leaders Forum, jointly organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade, and the Confederation of Employers.

    At the meeting, the Nigerian leader alerted European countries to look toward Africa for solution to the resources supply challenges currently facing the global economy.

    He also challenged Spanish investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s tax-free environment and limitless expatriate quota at the nation’s Free Trade Zones to boost Nigerian-Spanish trade and economic opportunities.

    According to him, for quite a number of decades, Spain has been one of Nigeria’s most important trade partners.

    He said Spain had been a major importer of Nigeria’s crude oil, noting that Nigeria’s exports to Spain stood at 4.8 billion dollars in 2020 whilst Spain’s exports to Nigeria increased from 97.2 million dollars in 1995 to 517 million dollars in 2020.

    Also on Thursday, President Buhari hosted representatives of the Nigerian community in Spain, including professional footballers and some Spanish investors with interests in Nigeria.

    He Nigerians pursuing legitimate businesses abroad to always invest wisely back home as part of their contributions towards transforming the nation’s economy.

    The Diaspora team, which met with the president, included John Bosco, President of the Association of Nigerians in Spain and his deputy, Richard Omoregbe.

    Others were Kenneth Omeruo Super Eagles international who plies his trade with Leganes FC, Madrid and Obinna Okafor, a football agent.

    Some more others were Mohammed Bashir, a student of Aviation, Segun Adedoyin, studying Global Affairs and Bright Omorodion, a businessman.

    Buhari told the compatriots, whom he described as ambassadors of Nigeria in Spain that he was informed about how law-abiding they had been in the European country.

    “I wish to encourage you to continue to be role models for our youths back home as well as sustain the image of being excellent ambassadors of Nigeria in Spain and live peacefully in the various communities in which you reside here,’’ he said.

    The president was accompanied to Spain by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo.

    Also on the entourage were the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

    The National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa were also in the president’s team.

  • VIDEO: Buhari pulls a fast one on Super Eagles player in Spain

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday pulled a fast one on Super Eagles player, Kenneth Omeruo while on a state visit to Spain.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari is in Spain at the invitation of the Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez.

    As part of his visit, Buhari met with some Nigerians living in Spain, including Daniel Amokachi and Omeruo, who presented a customized t-shirt and a ball to the president.

    It was during a photo session that the former army general pulled a fast one on the Super Eagles player.

    “I hope you are not taller than me,” President Buhari joked.

    Watch video below:

     

    Also see photos below:

    Buhari meets leadership of 2 Spanish companies, pledges secure, prosperous country

    Meanwhile, President Buhari as well on Thursday in Madrid met with two Spanish companies doing business in Nigeria and assured them of a safe, secure and prosperous country.

    At a meeting with executives of GB Foods, which grows tomatoes in Kebbi State, and employs about 5,000 people, the president pledged that the entire country would be secured.

    According to him, the provision of security is one of the cardinal objectives of his administration, and assured protection for local farmers against smuggling and dumping of foreign products.

    ”Detractors are working very hard against our efforts. That was why we closed our borders for so long, and the result is evident. We want to grow what we eat, and eat what we grow.

    ”Thank you for your huge investment in our country, the jobs you create, and skills imparted to our people,” he said.

    Chairman of GB Foods, Artur Carulla, described the company as a family business now in its third generation in Africa, and which had invested over 250 billion dollars in countries like Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana and Senegal.

    While promising to “double-down in Nigeria,” Carulla added: “Food is all we do. We have been in Africa since the 1970s.

    ”I’m married to an African, and connected emotionally with the continent. We bet on local talents and ingredients. It is good for us, and for Nigeria.

    ”We have built three factories in the last five years, and our products are 100% locally manufactured.”

    GB Foods pledged that in about two years, it would be en route to supplying 30% of the nation’s tomato needs.

    “We will replicate what has happened with rice. We knew what it was before you came,” he said.

    At another meeting with Naturgy, a leading Spanish gas company, the president expressed pleasure that the outfit had established a steady partnership with Nigeria in the oil and gas industry.

    He said: ”I had the opportunity to head the industry for over three years. And a feasibility study showed that we are more of a gas-producing country than oil.

    ”I’m pleased that you have been our partners for so long, and we are doing our best to stabilize the security situation in the country.”

    Francisco Reynes, Chief Executive Officer of Naturgy, said its first contact with Nigeria was in 1992, and since then, they had become one of the largest buyers of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

    He said Naturgy was interested in extending its relationship with Nigeria on gas, citing its 178 years experience in the business.

    “Countries like Algeria, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, and the USA are our suppliers. We want to invest more in Nigeria,” Reynes said.

  • President Buhari arrives Spain for a 3- day State Visit

    Following the invitation of the Spanish President, Pedro Sanchez, President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Madrid, Spain, on a 3-day State Visit.

    He was welcomed by the leadership of the Nigerian Embassy in Spain and top Spanish government officials. He is officially visiting Spain for the first time since the inception of his administration seven years ago.

    Thenewsguru.com reports that the Presidential aircraft, which left Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at about 3.30 p.m., conveying the president and some members of his entourage, landed at Torrejon Airbase, Madrid, at 10 p.m. (local time).

    While in Madrid, the Nigerian leader will also meet with the Head of State of the Spanish nation, His Majesty King Felipe VI.

    An earlier statement by the President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, on Tuesday, said during his engagements with both leaders, the Nigerian President would discuss issues of mutual interest to both countries.

    Adesina said this would expectedly result in the signing of Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on a wide range of topics geared towards further enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.

    Such areas, according to him, include Extradition and transfer of convicted persons, Mutual Legal Assistance, Cultural Matters, Cooperation towards fighting crime and enhancing security, as well as issues affecting dependants of diplomatic staff.

    Also on the agenda are Cooperation on Energy, Trade and Investment, Transportation, Public Health and Sports Development.

    The President will also be the Special Guest at an Investment Forum jointly organized by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Trade, and the Confederation of Employers (CEOE).

    The Nigerian leader will speak to the gathering of top members of the Spanish business community and their Nigerian counterparts on the investment opportunities in Nigeria.

    They will also discuss ways of expanding the volume of trade as well as further collaborating for the development of the economies of both countries.

    Those on the president’s entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN); Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo and the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    Others are the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola;  Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora.

    Other members of the delegation are the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno,  Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i and Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

    The President is expected back in the country on June 3.

  • Spain donates 4.4M doses of J&J COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria

    The Government of Spain has donated 4,400,000 doses of Johnson and Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria.

    The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Juan Sell, said during the handover of the vaccines to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Tuesday in Abuja that “this is the largest COVID-19 donation to any African nation.”

    Sell said that the donation was in fulfilment of Spain’s commitment to supporting developing countries in ramping up vaccination against COVID-19.

    He added that “in 2020, the world was faced with the challenge to develop an effective vaccine. In 2021, the challenge evolved to the production and distribution of vaccines. Today in 2022, we need to put these vaccines within peoples’ reach.

    “As we want to leave the acute phase of the pandemic behind, we cannot linger, and there are lessons to be learnt.

    “One of the lessons is the need to improve global mechanisms for technology transfer to decentralise the production of health products in all regions, Africa in particular. And that is why Spain has joined the WHO Technology Access Group.

    “And that is also why the EU launched Team Europe Initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies in Africa, with one billion euros, and that will benefit Nigeria.

    “We need to protect, safeguard and invest in health and health workers, and this is the effort line that Spain is co-leading in the framework of the Global Action Plan, and we have committed 300 million euros for further donations and projects to strengthen public health systems.”

    Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA, who received the donation on behalf of the Federal Government, thanked the Spanish Government, saying the gesture came at a time when the country needed it most.

    Shuaib used the opportunity to call on eligible Nigerians who were yet to be vaccinated to do so.

    According to him, continued vaccination will create a scenario that will ensure that even when the virus continues to evolve, the severity of the disease will reduce over time as human immunity increases due to vaccination.

    Newsmen reports that EU Ambassador to Nigeria, WHO and UNICEF country representatives all commended Nigeria in its efforts to vaccinate eligible Nigerians.

  • Man sentenced to 7 years in prison for threatening to kill Spanish PM

    Man sentenced to 7 years in prison for threatening to kill Spanish PM

    Spain’s National Court has sentenced a man to seven years in prison for threatening to kill Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

    Manuel Murillo, 66, posted messages on social media with words threatening Sanchez.

    Police raided Murillo’s home and seized seven prohibited firearms, including an automatic rifle.

    The court ruled that Murillo had decided that the solution to produce a change in the Spanish political situation was to cause the death of the prime minister.

    The judges also said that Murillo’s seized weapon is an indication of high danger.

  • David de Gea axed from Spain squad

    David de Gea axed from Spain squad

    Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been dropped by Spain coach Luis Enrique.

    Brentford’s David Raya has been recalled back to the team.

    De Gea played the entirety of United’s 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, a result which dumped them out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage.

    He was Spain’s starter at a disappointing 2018 World Cup, where they crashed out in the round of 16, before becoming backup to Unai Simon, who helped them reach the semi-finals of the European Championship last year.

    The 26-year-old Raya was born in Barcelona but has played in England for several years. He was at Blackburn before joining Brentford in 2019.

    Raya will likely be the third-choice goalkeeper behind Athletic Bilbao’s Simon and Robert Sanchez of Brighton.

  • Luis Enrique jokes about Man Utd talks

    Luis Enrique jokes about Man Utd talks

    Spain coach Luis Enrique has happily joked about rumours linking him with the vacant Manchester United manager’s job.

    “Is it April Fools today?” asked Enrique, smiling, at a charity padel tournament organised by Juan Carlos Unzue, his former assistant.

    The Spain coach was responding to rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo wanted him appointed as Manchester United manager.

    “I’m already at the biggest team in Spain, the national team. We have 5,000 players, I have the players I want. Is there anything bigger?

    “The future can change in 15 seconds. Now I’ve got to enjoy myself and I am happy where I am.”

  • Carvajal speaks on Luis Enrique anti-Madrid agenda

    Carvajal speaks on Luis Enrique anti-Madrid agenda

    Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal has dismissed the notion that Spain boss Luis Enrique holds something against players from his club, while admitting that a World Cup without the Roja would be hard for him to take.

    Luis Enrique famously crossed the Clasico divide from Madrid to Barcelona as a player, becoming a hero at the latter club while the Santiago Bernabeu turned its wrath on him at every opportunity. He then coached the Blaugrana to a pair of La Liga titles.

    That rivalry has now crossed over into the international game, with accusations that the coach is less willing to pick Blancos stars past and present such as centre-back Sergio Ramos, who was left out of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad.

    “When I have heard that opinion I try to explain that nothing could be further from the truth,” Carvajal told Marca when quizzed on his Spain boss’ supposed anti-Madrid bias.

    “The coach tries to call up the players he thinks are going to help achieve what he wants, whatever team they play for.

    “That is his method, his philosophy and plan. I thank him [for always picking me], and for what he said about me at his press conference. I hope things continue this way.”