THE 2014 RECAP

In January Students went back to class after one of the longest ASUU strike in history but I know it will only be a matter of time before they gear up for another. Then came this Jonathan and Sanusi beef. Suspended from being CBN governor, then couple of months later he was crowned king. I didn't forget that Bisi girl that went all nude while dancing in that video, and yes we all saw it. Some of us even had it on replay. The moral of that story is; be careful who you fool around with. Billions of dollars went missing in the country. Where did money that big go? Davido's Aye song became a topic of discussion. A lot of folks said the lyrics were false. Some were sure he wasn't even talking about a Nigerian girl. But the dude had a good year though, bagging two MTV and one BET award. Bomb blast still rocked the country on series of occasions. From the Nation's capital, down to kano. The security of Nigerians should be seriously questioned. This has become a country where no one is safe. In April, we saw the abduction of over 200 girls up north, weeks fell of the calendar followed by months and no one knew where they were. Our security forces showed us the extent of their incompetence. The US marines stepped in the situation but it was a lost cause. Everyone protested from the local to the international community. #BringBackOurGirls was a new movement and topic of discussion on social media until the arrival of the World Cup. Then I saw this stupid hash tag that read #BringBackGoodluck. Stupid! We lost Dora Akunyili, Keefy the singer and then Chaz B. But nothing made more headlines and front page than the Boko Haram menace. I saw Mr President on CNN saying electricity in Nigeria has greatly improved. Maybe he was talking about

Nigeria beat Bosnia 1-0

Nigeria get first win at World Cup since ‘98 on Saturday this records their first World Cup finals victory since 1998 and condemn the European team to an early exit in their first appearance at the tournament. Peter Odemwingie's 29th-minute goal lifted the African champions to four points from two games, two less than Argentina who they meet in their final Group F match on Wednesday with top spot at stake.

“It's been 16 years and no wins for our country so we are very excited,” Odemwingie said in a television interview. “We needed the win. They have some fantastic players so we are happy to bounce back after what our people thought was a poor performance in the first game (a 0-0 draw with Iran). “Victories affect people in different ways so we are looking up now and if we get into the second round anything can happen. Maybe we will be inspired as we were in the last African Nations Cup.” Nigeria took the lead

Kwesi Appiah admitted his pride at Ghana’s performance : Germany 2 vs Ghana 2

Kwesi Appiah admitted his pride at Ghana’s performance despite his side squandering their lead to draw 2-2 with Germany in Group G. Clear-cut chances were scarce in the first half, but the game soon sparked into life after the break when Mario Gotze stooped to meet Thomas Muller’s cross and bundle the ball home to open the scoring. But Ghana soon hit back as Andre Ayew leapt to power Harrison Afful’s cross beyond Manuel Neuer before Asamoah Gyan raced through on goal to fire them into an unlikely lead. Miroslav Klose then stepped off the bench to equalise from close range and level Ronaldo’s World Cup record of 15 goals in the process, but Appiah hailed the spirit of his men. "It was a great game. Germany are a big team but I think our boys did well," he told the BBC. "We created a lot of chances that could have made the day but, unfortunately, we could not utilise our chances. "We needed time to fight to the end. It’s a bit unfortunate that it ended this way but I think on the whole it was a very good game."

Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke demands Abacha's assets

Mohammed Adoke, Justice Minister has demanded that the $458 million worth of assets that former dictator Sani Abacha stole should be returned to Nigeria. The assets were recently frozen by the United States. Reports that the Nigerian government had been silent about the freezing of the asses until now. According to the report, Adoke said he was impressed by "the efforts of the United States to recover the (funds) for the benefit of the people of Nigeria". Reports that funds from the forfeited assets are to be used to fund development projects.

Ahmed Musa Vs Peter Odemwingie

CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa has welcomed the possibility of Peter Osaze Odemwingie's return to the Nigeria national team fold ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The jostling for places in the Super Eagles final list is heating up, with the Russia-based player pitted against Stoke City man by pundits. The 21-year-old is, however, not shaken by the competition for places in the squad, but has not hidden his desire to earn a ticket to Brazil for the showpiece. "It doesn't scare me at all," he is quoted by the Daily Trust as saying. "Why will I be scared?

"We are all professionals striving for the best for the Super Eagles and our various clubs and at the end of the day the ultimate decision lies with the coach (Stephen Keshi).

Nigeria gay trial suspects bailed

Two Islamic courts in northern Nigeria have secretly granted bail to seven men on trial for allegedly breaking the law on homosexuality, a prison official and a court clerk said on Friday. The seven were among dozen men formally charged by the Bauchi State Sharia Commission on January 6 with belonging to a gay club and have been receiving funds from the United States for an apparent membership drive. Four have previously been convicted on March 6th, fined N20,000 each and given 15 lashes with a horse whip as what the judge termed a discretionary "correctional punishment". A Christian suspect is having his case heard before a secular court. Homosexuality is banned under Islamic law, which is in force alongside state and federal justice systems in mainly Muslim northern Nigeria.

New Boko Haram attacks on Borno roads

Borno State have been hit with fresh attacks by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents. Reports that members of the Islamist sect made a number of trucks pull over and even set some of them ablaze. According to the report, a military source revealed that troops along the road were put on high alert throughout the weekend. About four people have been killed in the renewed onslaught by these gunmen.

6 killed, 5 injured in Osun crash

Six persons were killed while five others sustained injuries on Wednesday in a nasty auto crash at Iyanfoworogi village near Ile-Ife, Ife South Local Government Area of Osun. The Unit Commander of the FRSC in Ile-Ife, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. Adetoro said that the accident happened at about 09:00 following a collision between an articulated vehicle marked and a bus. Also added that the accident was caused by the bus driver coming from Ondo axis to Ile-Ife who wrongly overtook the truck in the opposite direction. The United Commander said that those who died were two men, two women and two children. He said his officers as well as those of NSCDC and the police were at the scene of the crash to rescue the victims. Those injured, he said, were conveyed to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife. He added that the remains of the passengers who died were deposited at the hospital's mortuary.

PDP On "Kwara" Vows to reclaim the State

Senator Simeon Ajibola representing Kwara South Senatorial District has said the PDP will reclaim the state from the APC. Ajibola told party supporters on Sunday at Owu-Isin, Isin Local Government Area of the state, during a rally. He pleaded to the people of the district not to lose hope because of those that defected from the party to APC, adding that "PDP would laugh last". He also said. the case was already in court, vowed that the party’s leadership would exhaust all legal options. Ajibola said the people of the state voted for PDP councillors, 16 local government chairmen, 26 House of Assembly members, six House of Representatives members, three senators and one governor. The senator told the crowd that the law was very clear on defection, stating that any elected office holder who defected would automatically lose the position. Also, former Deputy Governor to former Gov. Bukola Saraki, Chief Joel Ogundeji, appealed to the people of the district to continue to support PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Dangote draws Nigeria, France into 'cement war'

The latest cement works launched by Africa's richest man lies idle in a Senegalese meadow - stopped in its tracks by legal action and cut-throat competition in a rapidly growing industry. Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote's cement business has been developing rapidly and successfully elsewhere in Africa and the Senegalese project, first conceived four years ago, was set to start production in June. But the west African nation's government is being taken to a regional arbitration court in Ivory Coast by French manufacturer Vicat, which claims that the plant represents a "misleading account of competition" in a country where the market is already saturated. "This will be the first time in the history of Senegal that we have seen a plant built in violation of all the rules," said Boubacar Camara, president of Sococim, a Senegalese subsidiary of Vicat. Dangote, 56, made his first fortune in Nigeria more than three decades ago when he started trading commodities with a loan from his uncle. Cement business is the jewel in the crown of the Dangote Group, also the largest industrial conglomerate in west Africa according to Forbes magazine, which shows Dangote variously as "the richest black person in the world" or "Africa's richest man", with an individual fortune of $25 billion (18 billion euros). He has been spreading his empire outside of Nigeria -- Dangote Cement now has locations in 15 African countries -- but the Senegal project and the court case willing to stop it may come to represent a frustrating inability to step up his influence across the entire continent. "A cement plant is dangerous, you need permits, prior authorisation and you also have to conduct an environmental impact study. That hasn't been done," Camara said. The water-cooling technology involved in the $630 million plant would require a daily withdrawal of 4,500 cubic metres of groundwater, a precious commodity in an arid Sahelian country like Senegal, according to Camara. "It's a race against the clock. Once production begins, it will be much more difficult to intervene," Camara told said. "Given the conditions in which he has mounted his plant, Dangote could come and set whatever prices he likes." Dangote has said the implementation would create 4,000 jobs and, in any case, the state has no power to oppose it, a source close to the Senegalese Ministry of Mines said. "Initially, there was were certain procedural irregularities that Dangote fixed," said the source, adding that "the main problem was the environmental impact". French President Francois Holland wrote to his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall in January about the plant "in order to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by Sococim", according to a source in the Senegalese presidency. Sall responded to the effect that "the rule of law and the Senegalese courts" would must be allowed to decide whether the project could go ahead, the source said. It is not the first time that the controversial project has run into problems. Senegalese courts ruled during construction that it encroached on a sacred forest owned by the descendents of Cheikh Amadou Bamba, a Sufi Muslim mystic and religious leader who was revered by millions of Senegalese. Construction was only allowed to recommence when Dangote offered the family a persuasive $12.6 million in compensation. Villagers in Galene, the tiny settlement on the doorstep of the cement works 50 kilometres from Dakar, say it has been installed on land once used by thousands of farmers and their animals. "We fear that it is going to stop us growing and raising our animals," said Oumy Ba, the village chief. Community leader Bougouma Thiongane said however that the project had been "welcomed with open arms".

Medical Professionals Hits on Nigerian 'viagra' drinks

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Nike Ajibade and some of her mates sit on a Lagos pavement with small plastic bottles of liquids deeped in a weather-beaten plastic buckets. The hidden bottles of what they tag as 'viagra' drinks are being sold at about 300 to 500 Naira and are much sought-after for their supposed aphrodisiac qualities. But medical professionals warn that rather than enhancing sexual prowess, regular users could be putting their long-term health at risk. "Sales are high because of good patronage," Ajibade, 27, said. "Most of my customers are manual labourers who need to boost their energy in bed after a hard day's job under mostly inclement weather." Many hawkers hustle the bustling streets of Lagos and other Nigerian towns and cities selling such "viagra" drinks, despite their unknown and untested effects on the male sex drive. "They are creating health problems for themselves," warned the dean of the University of Lagos' faculty of pharmacy, Olukemi Odukoya. "Due to lack of Knowledge and high level of ignorance, some of these liquids have chemical substances which can decline the good performance of the liver and kidney, which are very expensive and difficult to manage." Viagra, taken to treat erectile dysfunction, costs between 850 Naira and 1850 Naira per little blue pill in Nigeria - way beyond the means of most people who live on just 400 Naira a day.

Jonathan visits Pope Francis at Vatican

A Nigerian delegation on Friday traveled to Rome for a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The delegation included President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife Patience. Jonathan and Pope Francis on Saturday had a lengthy discussion about the country's position on same-sex marriages after a law banning it was recently signed by Jonathan.

Bribe Charges: EFCC Arrests Lawyer

A legal practitioner, Barrister Ayodele Owoka has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations of bribery. Owoka, 47, was arrested on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at the Commission’s office in Ikoyi, Lagos as he attempted to bribe a team of operatives investigating a case of contract inflation, abuse of office, stealing, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State. Upon his arrest, the suspect confessed that

The Abduction of President Jonathan's Uncle

Kidnap Of Pres. Jonathan’s Uncle: N500m Ransom Demanded

The abductors of President Jonathan uncle, 70-year old Inengite Nitabai, have demanded a N500m ransom before he could be released. The abductors threatened to kill him if the family fails to produce the money. The source also said the family had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate his release. He said the kidnappers had also warned against the involvement of security operatives in the matter. “The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded a whopping sum of N500m. It is believed that the family of the victim has begun negotiations with the hoodlums,” he said. Tension and panic set in when the kidnappers failed to establish any contact with the family of their victim three days after he was abducted. That development was said to have rattled the Presidency, which reportedly ordered a

Soldier fires in the air near Governor Nyako

A soldier opened fire in anger today at criticism of the military by a state governor in a part of northeast Nigeria where nearly 100 people have been killed by Islamic militants this week. There was pandemonium, with some people diving into ditches for cover and cars screeching off, as people thought the convoy of Adamawa state Governor Murtala Nyako was under attack by extremists. Nyako was visiting Shuwa, where residents say outnumbered soldiers fled and left them at the mercy of Islamic militants who killed at least 33 people in the town and nearby villages Wednesday night (local time). Scores of buildings were firebombed. Today as Nyako's convoy was driving out of Shuwa, two military vehicles blocked the road and two soldiers got out shouting, "We are here!" - apparently to imply they had not run away. When Nyako asked who they were, the soldiers shouted "Boko Haram! We are Boko Haram!" the nickname of the Islamist group terrorizing northeast Nigeria. Then a soldier in the back fired four bursts of gunfire into the air. Instead of retreating, Nyako started walking toward the firing soldier, but

Popular Comedian Arrested For Drug Ingestion

NDLEA Arrests

A popular Ghanaian comedian, Musah Iddrisu, and a Congolese, Inana Cedrick, have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for ingesting drug. Iddrisu and Cedrick were arrested during the inward and outward screening of Ethiopian airline passengers respectively at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Udoh Nsikak-Abasi, said, “Iddrisu was found to have ingested 450 grammes of cocaine. He was on his way to Thailand. Cedrick was caught with 1.500 kilogrammes of heroin which he tried importing into the country. “A third suspect, a Nigerian, John Nwadilichukwu, was also arrested. He was to receive Cedrick at the airport, collect the drug and pay him for smuggling the drug.” The heroin was said to have been hidden inside a

Lampard gingers team-mates

EPL ‘crunch time’

Sir Alex Ferguson used to call it ‘squeaky bum time’ but Frank Lampard preferred a less graphic phrase when he warned his Chelsea team-mates they are entering “crunch time” in the title race. The midfielder is unhappy with the limited time his side have to recover before they face Fulham today, having travelled to Turkey for their 1-1 Champions League draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday, but told them it was time to leave Manchester City behind. Lampard knows Chelsea can claim a psychological advantage by opening up a nine point gap to their key rivals in the next 10 days while City concentrate on the League Cup final and FA Cup quarter-finals. “It’s tight and that would be a nice gap,” Lampard said of the team his manager, Jose Mourinho, has repeatedly claimed are favourites. “It’s crunch time where you have to develop a winning mentality that even if you play badly, you win. “But our run since December has been fantastic in the league, we have put ourselves right up in the race.” The fatigue factor could come into play during the title run – and City as well as Chelsea have an onerous fixture list.

900 Turtles Found Dead On Indian Beach

Over 900 sea turtles have been found dead along the coast in southern India, conservationists say, blaming illegal fishing near their sanctuaries. Supraja Dharini of the Tree Foundation, a marine conservation group, said trawlers fishing illegally along the coast of Andhra Pradesh state were not taking measures to stop turtles from getting entangled in the nets. She said more than 800 dead Olive Ridley turtles were washed ashore on Saturday, and 100 more were found on Sunday. “Such a huge loss of the species in one night is more than three times the total number recorded in the past six years in the region,” she said, adding: “To say it is

Dont Condemn These Acts Only Pres. Jonathan (Move, Push, Take Serious Actions) -Yobe School Killing

The death toll in the latest Boko Haram attack against sleeping secondary school students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi in Yobe state, has increased to 59, from the 43 earlier given by officials. The revised toll even came with the chilling story that the students were burnt to death. “Some of the students’ bodies were burned to ashes,” Police Commissioner Sanusi Rufai said of the attack President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the attack on the Federal Government College Buni Yadi in Yobe State, calling it callous, barbaric and senseless. President Jonathan who said that he received the news with immense sadness extended his heartfelt condolences to the parents and relatives of the murdered students. According to the President “I wholly condemn the brutal and mindless killing of the innocent students by deranged terrorists and fanatics who have clearly lost all human morality and descended to bestiality.” He, however, gave the assurance of his commitment to ending the scourge of terrorism in parts of the country, which has sadly claimed more innocent lives, promising that

NNPC Fraud: denies conniving with Swiss firms to defraud Nigeria

NNPC missing oil billions

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Tuesday debunked claims that the corporation connived with Swiss oil companies to defraud Nigeria. Mr Andrew Yakubu, Group Managing Director of the corporation, made the denial at the investigative hearing on the alleged connivance of NNPC and Swiss oil companies to defraud Nigeria of billions of dollars. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the allegation was made by Berne Declaration, a Switzerland-based non-governmental advocacy group. The group alleges that Nigeria loses billions of dollars every year from large volumes of crude oil exported from Nigeria below the international market price. It specifically mentioned Vitol and Transfigura Commodity Trading Firms of Switzerland in the shady deal with the NNPC. Testifying before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Yakubu, however, said that the corporation’s pricing strategy was in line with international best practice in the oil industry. “Our prices are based on a reference to the benchmark crude Brent which prices are published by Platts for the international community,” he said. The NNPC boss said that the

Gold Diggin Film Rated Worst Nollywood Movie Ever : Rukky Sanda’s production

From the first few scenes of ‘Gold diggin’ the new flick by actress/producer/director Rukky Sanda, it becomes obvious that one is set for ... The playbook is painfully clear as there is a thread of a story, a semblance of a plot but not much else. It does not matter though as Ms Sanda has to make a movie out of her limited resources, who says it has to be a decent one? She casts herself (of course) in the lead as a bimbo from the upper side of town who does not have much of a life or a brain either. She goes through life partying, drinking and bedding any two bit hustler who happens to have a semi-hit song or film. She also casts Ghanaian star Yvonne Nelson in the best friend role as the other bimbo with half a brain who provides the fuel to her fire, urging her on her wild-partying ways and talking some sense into her on the rare occasion. It is all stuff you have seen too many times before to really care; a more capable actress would have been wasted in this role but Miss Nelson does not seem to mind, employing her striking physique to elicit emotions in the most virile of viewers. Everything is manipulative and exploitative too. There is a third best friend somewhere but she shows up only once or twice. Everyone in the movie is playing off on their public image;

Joseph Mbu is at it again in Abuja

Mbu Gives Motorists 24-hour Deadline To Obtain Tinted Glass Permit Former Rivers State Commissioner of Police who was recently transferred to the FCT, Mr Joseph Mbu, announced his arrival in Abuja on Monday, with a 24-hour deadline to motorists whose vehicles have tinted glass, to obtain the necessary permit or be arrested. Mbu, who gave the ultimatum at a news briefing on the security situation in the territory, also warned that from Wednesday, Feb. 26, vehicles plying the territory without registration numbers would be arrested. “I want to make this pronouncement now. If you do not have a tinted glass vehicle permit, formally approved by the Inspector-General of Police, and you are not permitted to have tinted glass in your vehicle, you have between today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday) to remove it,” said Mbu. “No vehicle will ply the streets or the highways within Abuja without an identification mark, that is to say, there must be FRSC-approved number plate affixed to your vehicle.

Egypt govt resigns ahead of polls

Egypt's military-installed government resigned en masse on Monday in a surprise move ahead of a presidential poll likely to bring defence minister and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to power. A limited reshuffle to allow Sisi to step down as defence minister and enter elections had been expected, but the across-the-board resignations led by the increasingly unpopular prime minister Hazem al-Beblawi surprised even some in the cabinet. Appointed in July after the military ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, Beblawi's government came under pressure to step aside amid a worsening economy and a spate of militant attacks and labour strikes. The resignations might lead to a new cabinet without the baggage of Beblawi's government ahead of Sisi's expected run in the presidential election this spring. Sisi, who emerged as the country's most popular political figure after ending Morsi's divisive one-year rule, has not yet

Let's Ask The Entertainment Industry

Which of this entertainment genres do you think, most expresses our plight and conditions in our country? A) OUR MOVIES B)OUR MUSIC C)OUR COMEDY ...which is your pick?

Best Moments From the 2014 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony

The Winter Olympics in Sochi have come to an end, with the Russians putting on quite the show to wrap it up. During the Closing Ceremony of the games at Fisht Olympic Stadium Sunday, attendees and viewers were treated to a stunning ballet performance, a 62-piano production and the return of the dreaded "Nightmare Bear," among other things.

Intentional Ring Malfunction: Following the now infamous snowflake malfunction during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, the Russians poked a little fun at the incident by having a group of dancers merge together to create an image of the Olympic rings. The joke: one of the clusters stayed closed so they couldn't form a fifth interlocking ring, which ended up being just a teensy cluster at the side, just like the unfortunate snowflake. After a long pause though, the fifth ring opened up and interlocked with the rest, creating the full symbol of the games. Whew. Team USA flag bearer Julie Chu: Ice hockey forward and four-time Olympian Julie Chu was beaming as she carried the American flag into the stadium, and later headed to Twitter to express her excitement. "What an incredible experience getting to carry our nation's flag into the stadium. Such an honor! Wish my teammates were by my side #TeamUSA," she tweeted afterwards.

The 62 Piano Concert and Beautiful Ballerinas: Producers put on a 62-piano mini-concert, in which a group of musicians played Rachmaninov's "Piano Concert No. 2," and

Illegal bunkering in Rivers - Navy impounds N90.5m worth of diesel

Officers on a Nigerian Navy ship, NNS Pathfinder, on Sunday in Port Harcourt said they have arrested a suspected vessel carrying 500 metric tonnes of diesel worth N90.5 million. The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Capt. Daupreye Matthews, told newsmen the vessel and its 11 crew members were arrested off the coast of Bonny Island in Rivers. He said they were arrested while the ship was on routine patrol of the waterways. “The Lagos registered vessel, MT Divine Favour, was initially arrested on Feb. 10 because it had no valid document to present for freighting of petroleum products,'' the officer said. Matthews said all the 11 crew members were Nigerians. “MT Divine Favour, with its 11 crew members, was arrested 11 nautical miles from the Fairway Buoy, Bonny. “Preliminary investigations conducted by Navy operatives on the claims provided by the 11 crew members showed them to be incoherent, and, as such, point to the members' involvement in illegal bunkering.

Osagie Alonge Gives Omotola A Piece Of Advice

To Omotola: “Fix Your Home First Before you Fix Peoples’ Home”- Does she need the advice or not?

Famous entertainment writer, Osagie Alonge, who works for the Nigerian Entertainment Today, has slammed Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde over a comment she made on social media recently. Last week, Omotola went on a rant on social media in response to entertainment bloggers who described her 14 year old daughter, Meraiah Ekeinde as ‘hot and sexy’. The 2013 Time Magazine icon barked at online media, chastising them for visiting her 14-year-old daughter’s Instagram page, culling her photos and spreading them all over the internet. In his response to Omotola’s rant, here is an excerpt from Alonge’s letter: “Dear Omotola, I’d like to say that the media has done nothing, absolutely nothing wrong and do not owe you an apology for publicising your daughter’s photos. You should be the last person pointing fingers, as it clearly shows you’ve scored a ‘D minus’ in raising this cute kid. “Meraiah Ekeinde is four years away from adolescence but by merely studying her Instagram page, you’d be amazed at the kind of photos a 14-year-old girl puts up – we are talking sexualised selfies, showing off her

Boxing: Ali’s 1964 Fight-Worn Gloves Go for $836500

Muhammad Ali’s 1964 boxing gloves auctioned.

The boxing gloves Ali- then known as Cassius Clay- wore on February 25, 1964, when he faced Sonny Liston in the ring, and subsequently won his first Heavyweight Championship, brought $836,500 on February 22, 2014 as part of Heritage Auctions’ Sports Platinum Night Auction, almost 50 years exactly from the day of the fight. The Gloves Muhammad Ali Won When He Defeated Sonny Liston.

Real Estate Market - Investors’ Haven

Why entrepreneurs should invest in real estate

An expert in the property market has described the real estate market as investors’ haven, as the industry holds great potential for operators in the country. Speaking on “Growing a diversified group of businesses” at the Fidelity SME Forum, a weekly radio programme organised by Fidelity Bank, Ichie Nnaeto Orazulike, chairman/CEO, Genesis Group of Companies, says the property business is one area where investors can expect to recoup their investment within a short period of time because of the high return on investment (ROI). He advises Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMEs) desirous of growing their businesses to make conscious efforts to tap into the huge property market in the country, even as they plough back the excess funds into their business. “Naturally, as you grow your business and develop it, the best thing to do with the excess which the business did not absorb is to invest it in real estate,” he says. Orazulike, who veered into business immediately after his National Youth Service Corps programme (NYSC), essentially because he wanted to do something different, says the real estate is an investment he would advise every entrepreneur to take on, saying “real estate, as far as I am concerned is the best of value. It will grow over time, out live you and generations to come.”

Time to ask President Goodluck Jonathan and see how he responds to your questions

Presidential Media Chat Holds Tomorrow

Nigerians sure have a lot of questions to ask President Goodluck Jonathan on the recent happenings in the country. He is set to answer as many questions as possible today as he faces a panel of journalists and media executives to discuss current national issues and developments in another edition of the Presidential Media Chat. Journalists will be asking questions bordering on security, economy, power, and as most would expect, the recent suspension of Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Wike is an indecent mind, a baggage of mischief and villainy – Amaechi

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi has described the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyeson Wike, as an indecent mind contributing nothing than a baggage of mischief and villainy. He stated this while reacting to Wike’s statement that the governor would be made to account for every money accrued to the state during his administration. Speaking through his Chief Of Staff, Tony Okocha, the governor said when the “evil-plotter beats the drum for the innocent, the gods will not let it sound”, adding that Wike will not be playing god in the state. Okocha said “Governor Amaechi is and remains a hero in our political history. “His prodigy in the political landscape cannot be dwarfed by never-do-wells like Wike. “He is a great achiever, erudite scholar, incorruptible and fearless. His decision not to support President Goodluck Jonathan in

I Agree With Oprah's new initiative to combat loneliness

JUST SAY HELLO...ILL BE HERE *wink*

If you're among the millions suffering from loneliness,there is a cure In an exclusive interview with Piers Morgan, Oprah discusses her childhood and states why she feels she has never suffered from bouts of loneliness in her lifetime. When asked if she had ever suffered from loneliness, her response was crystal clear.

"Absolutely not," she said. "I am really happy being with myself." She also attributed it to growing up as her grandmother's only grandchild and being content with herself as well loving books as a kid. Oprah's new initiative, "Just Say Hello," strives to help people combat loneliness.

Ukraine Crisis

Parliament chief takes presidential power

The whereabouts and legitimacy of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych were unclear on Sunday, after he left the capital and his archfoe Yulia Tymoshenko was freed from prison and returned to Kiev to address a massive, adoring crowd. Ukraine's newly emboldened legislature voted Sunday to hand the president's powers to the parliament speaker, a Tymoshenko ally. But Yanukovych has said that parliament decisions in recent days are illegal. A plane with Yanukovych onboard was denied permission to take off Saturday evening from Donetsk, a city in eastern Ukraine that is the president's base of support the State Border Guard Service said. The president's spokesman said Sunday morning that even he does not know where Yanukovych is. Ukraine is deeply divided between eastern regions that are largely pro-Russian and western areas that widely detest Yanukovych and long for closer ties with the European Union. Yanukovych's shelving of an agreement with the EU in November set off the wave of protests, but they quickly expanded their grievances to corruption, human rights abuses and calls for Yanukovych's resignation.

The Kiev protest camp at the center of the anti-Yanukovych movement filled with more and more dedicated demonstrators Sunday morning setting up new tents after a day that saw a stunning reversal of fortune in a political standoff that

Funke Akindele Signs Multi-Million Endorsement Deal With 1960Bet

Popular comic actress Funke Akindele has become the new face of sports betting outfit, 1960Bet.

NigeriaFilms reports that contract is reportedly worth millions of Naira and it would see the actress work as the brand ambassador of the company. Also, she would be used for to do some promotional activities for the sport betting outfit. Already, Funke has shot a commercial for the company.

Court restrains Federal Government from arresting Sanusi

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday granted an order restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar; the State Security Service (SSS); and all agencies of the Federal Government from arresting and detaining suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. In his ruling, Justice Buba Ibrahim said status quo be maintained pending the determination of a fundamental human rights suit Sanusi filed. He had complained that he was unlawfully arrested, detained, and had his passport seized on Thursday. According to him,

Maiduguri: 9 students killed in attack

Suspected Islamists shot dead nine students as they sat an exam in an attack on a private school in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, local people said Tuesday. The attack, in a region that is a stronghold of the Islamist rebel group Boko Haram, happened on Monday in the Jajeri suburb of the city, they said. Mohammed Saleh, a relative of one of the deceased students, said school officials had told him that the attack happened soon after the end-of-year exam had started. "Nine of the students died instantly," he said, blaming members of Boko Haram. David Buba, a student at the school who was on the premises when the attack happened, told AFP he had lost a friend in the attack.

Venezuela - Protests Against Crime And Economic Problems Create A Wider Challenge To Authority

As the world watched Venezuela last week and saw only ugliness. Protesters gunned down in the streets, barricades in flames, chaos. One of the dead was a 22-year-old beauty queen shot in the head. With the government censoring and cowing TV reports, many of the images came from smartphones, grainy and jerky snippets filled with smoke and shouts. One fact loomed through them all: Chavismo, a hybrid system of democracy and autocracy built on populism, petro-dollars and quasi-socialism, was reaping the consequences of misrule.

Demonstrations in Caracas, Valencia, Mérida and other cities turned lethal, with student-led rallies provoking a fierce backlash from National Guard units and paramilitaries. They roared on motorcycles into "enemy" neighbourhoods, guns blazing. Families piled mattresses against windows to shield against bullets.

Human Rights Watch accused security forces of excessive and unlawful force by beating detainees and shooting at unarmed crowds. Worse may come. Jailings, beatings and killings have galvanised rather than deterred the mostly middle-class protesters. They vowed to continue until la salida, the exit of a government that has held power under Chávez, and now President Nicolás Maduro, for 15 years. "Change depends on every one of us. Don't give up!" Lilian Tintori, the wife of a jailed opposition leader, Leopoldo López, said via Twitter. Banners fluttered from buildings and barricades. "I declare myself in civil disobedience," read one. In a televised speech to red-shirted supporters, Maduro accused the US of fomenting a coup and threatened Táchira, a particularly rebellious eastern state, with martial law. A local mayor would soon join López behind bars, he vowed. "It's a matter of time until we have him in the same cold cell." An official policy of "communicational hegemony" harnessed state media for propaganda, intimidated privately owned broadcasters, yanked one TV channel off the air and revoked work permits for four CNN journalists.

Is It Pres. Jonathan Place To Suspend The Governor Of CBN- Sanusi??

* President suspended Central Bank Of Nigeria Chief on Thursday * Sanusi had accused state oil firm of corruption * Affair has hit bond, equity markets and currency President Asks Sanusi to Resign over Leaked $49.8bn Sanusi refused Jonathan's order to resign

A Nigerian court has issued an order on the security agencies, barring them from arresting suspended Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi, after he was briefly detained and his passport seized at the airport, a document viewed by Reuters showed. Justice Buba Ibrahim issued the order on Friday, after Sanusi complained that his detention had breached his right to freedom of movement, since he had not yet been charged with committing the financial malpractices for which he was suspended. President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Sanusi on Thursday, removing an outspoken critic of his government's record on corruption, citing "acts of financial recklessness". Since the suspension, presidential spokesman Reuben Abati has accused the central bank of procurement irregularities during Sanusi's tenure, most of them dating back to 2011.

China summons US diplomat over Obama-Dalai meeting, Saying it's a serious violation of the basic norms

China summoned US Charge d'Affaires here and lodged a strong diplomatic protest over the meeting between President Barack Obama and the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Chinese vice foreign minister Zhang Yesui summoned Daniel Kritenbrink, Charge d'Affaires of US embassy in China, to lodge solemn representations for Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama disregarding China's strong opposition, the foreign ministry said in a statement. Zhang said such a wrong move gravely interfered in China's internal affairs, seriously violated the US commitment of not supporting the "Tibet independence", gravely violated basic norms governing the international relations and seriously undermined the China-US relations. "China expresses strong indignation and firm opposition," Zhang said. The meeting is a serious violation of the basic norms of international relations and caused serious damage to the US-China relations, the foreign ministry statement was quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency as saying. Obama offered "strong support" for Tibetans' human rights as he met the Dalai Lama.

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Which would you rather prefer to deal with FEAR OR CONFUSION ??