Obasanjo's Hill Top Residence Gutted by Fire

Information reaching us says, a section of President Olusegun Obasanjo's Hill Top residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state, went went up in flames. However, members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp assisted by the Nigerian Police and other security agencies attached to the former President, struggled to put out the fire and avoid spreading to other sections.

After about an hour, the Ogun State fire truck arrived the scene, and put out the fire after few minutes. The fire reported started at about 4:30pm, the cause of the fire has not been acertained. It is not clear if the former President was at home when the fire started

State burial for Azazi in Yenagoa Saturday

Yenagoa – Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Wednesday, said the former National Security Adviser, late Gen. Andrew Azazi, would be given a befitting state burial.

He will be buried on Saturday, December 29 in Yenagoa.

The decision of the Bayesa State government to accord Azazi a state burial was in recognition of his enviable record of service to the state and country.

Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, stated this while approving the burial programme of the late General in Yenagoa.

The governor said: “In view of the late General Azazi‘s illustrious military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his  remains would be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the state capital. This is to demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Azazi as a true hero of Ijaw nation.”

Burial arrangement
The burial arrangement would kick off tomorrow, with service of songs at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, commendation service the next day, Saturday and  interment at noon followed by reception for guests/dignitaries.

Family wants him buried in his village
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the family had wanted the body of Azazi buried in his home village of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in line with the tradition of the area.

They argued that since their son died in a helicopter crash, the body should be given to the family to bury in line with their tradition not minding the top ranks he occupied in the army and the polity.

However,  it was leant that the Nigerian Army, which regards late Gen. Azazi as one of its heroes, pleaded that the burial be done in the state capital to enable its officers and men to accord their departed hero full military honours in line with their tradition.

At one of the meetings in Yenagoa, yesterday, the army pointed out the huge logistic challenges that would be involved in taking the body of the late General and hordes of military personnel and equipment to Peretorugbene for the burial.

They argued that if the burial was done in Peretorugbene, it would not be possible to ferry in the number of personnel and personalities expected to perform and grace the occasion because of the rough tide at this time of the year.

The officers were said to have pointed out that the burial of an outstanding officer like Azazi should be done in a place where the top brass of all arms of the Defence Ministry, where he served as Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and lately, National Security Adviser, should be able to attend in large number to accord him the last respect.

Vanguard learnt that the governor’s timely intervention prevented another round of meeting that was slated for the night between the military top brass and some family members on the matter.

General Andrew Azazi (rtd)

The burial arrangement would kick off  December 28, with service of songs at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, commendation service holds the next day , December 29,  with internment and state reception for guest/dignitaries.

The approved official burial arrangements are as follows:

Friday 28, December 2012
1. Service of Songs
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time:  5pm Prompt

2. Entertainment of Invited Guests/Dignitaries
Venue: Government House, Banquet Hall
Time:  8pm

Saturday 29th December 2012
1. Commendation Service
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time: 9am

2. Interment
In view of the Late General Azazi ‘s illustrious Military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his  remains will be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the State capital. This is to clearly demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Andrew Owoye Azazi as a true hero of the Ijaw Nation.
Time: 12pm

3.  State Reception for Guests/Dignitaries
Time: 2pm prompt

4.  Departure

cull: Vanguard

Mandela discharged from hospital

 After spending days in the hospital, including the all special christmas day, former South African President, Nelsom Mandela was discharged, on boxing day, from the hospital as a result of a lung infection and subsequent sugery  to remove gallstones.

AK-47's inventor Kalashnikov hospitalised

 Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of AK-47 assault rifle, has been hospitalised, his assistantNikolai Shklyaev said Tuesday.

Shklyaev said the 93-year-old Kalashnikov complained to him about his health before being taken to hospital last week.

"He was in intensive care last Thursday," he said, adding that he had no information about the present condition of the legendary inventor.

"He told me 'nothing hurts, but I feel exhausted.' That's all I know," he said.

Kalashnikov's son Viktor, however, said that his father has been hospitalised for a planned health check.

"His [health condition] is normal, he was hospitalized for planned procedures, he is not in intensive care."

A hospital source who asked not to be named said, however, that Kalashnikov has been sent to intensive care upon his arrival at hospital.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

FIREWORKS: HANDLE WITH CARE

Fireworks safety starts before a firework is even sold: It begins with the manufacturers, who need to follow strict quality controls in making their products. That doesn't mean every firework is guaranteed to be safe, though. Things can go wrong with fireworks, just as they can with any product, and most of the time it's because the fireworks aren't handled properly. That's the reason you see all those warnings on fireworks.

Thousands of people are taken to hospital emergency rooms in the United States every year because of injuries from fireworks — including bottle rockets, sparklers, and firecrackers.

The most common fireworks injuries involve the hands, fingers, eyes, head, and face. Some of these injuries are severe, resulting in permanent health problems such as missing fingers and limbs and vision loss.

So what can you do to enjoy the Fourth of July and still stay safe? Going to public fireworks displays is the best approach. Not only are these displays bigger and brighter (the federal government bans the sale of the largest fireworks to the public), but many states have laws that don't allow people to buy or use fireworks. Before using fireworks, find out what the laws are in your area. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides more information about state and federal regulations on its website.

Tips to Remember

If you live in a state that allows fireworks and you're planning a do-it-yourself celebration, follow these safety tips to protect yourself and the people watching:

• Buy ready-made fireworks rather than making your own, even from a kit.
• Make sure an adult is present at all times.
• Don't allow little kids to operate fireworks, even sparklers.
• Buy only legal fireworks that have a label with instructions for proper use. If your fireworks don't have an instruction label, they're probably illegal to use.
• Choose fireworks that are appropriate for the area you'll be using them in. For example, avoid using rockets or other aerial fireworks in the backyard or a busy street. Choose fountain-type fireworks instead.
• Follow all the directions on the label closely.
• Always use fireworks outside with a bucket of water or hose nearby. Keep fireworks away from dry leaves and other materials that can easily catch on fire.
• Light one firework at a time. Keep the firework you're lighting well away from unlit fireworks.
• Point fireworks away from people. If you're lighting a firework, wear eye protection and don't lean over the firework.
• If a firework doesn't seem to work, don't go over to it or attempt to relight it. Stand back for a while. If you can reach it with a hose or bucket without getting too close, douse it with water.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• If someone gets an eye injury from fireworks, don't rub the eye or attempt to wash it out. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It could make the difference between saving a person's sight and permanent blindness.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2010

Boxing Day Morning Fire at Jankara Market

 

 

Fire explosion at Jankara Market, in Lagos, sources say it occurred about 9am this morning, injuring many. However , no death has been reported but worth millions destroyed. Eye witness it result from a firecracker explosion.
Fire fighters have been deployed and have arrested the situation.

Christmas day Accident scence at Gbagada Bus stop in Lagos

This accident occurred around 5 pm on Christmas day, with the driver carrying two little girls, no one was hurt,  but the car was badly damaged. The accident occurred in a ditch dug by construction workers at Gbagada Bus stop of Lagos. Eye witness say it was caused  as a result of the driver avoiding a collision from another vehicle behind. Lastma officials came in two hours into the scene before filing this report. DRIVE SAFELY THIS SEASON

IDRIS ELBA ARRIVES LAGOS TO HOST THE KOKO CONCERT

 

Finally comfirmed, Idris Elba arrives Lagos for the KOKO CONCERT

KOKO CONCERT will hold on Thursday December 27th at Eko Atlantic. The event will be hosted by Idris Elba and will feature Tinnie Tempah, Big Sean, Pusha T and many top Nigerian artists. Ticket: 5k regular, 20k VIP and N1m for table. 

WIZKID REP NAIJA WITH CHRIS BROWN IN LAGOS

32-Year-Old Man Jailed For Having Séx With Prostitute

A man has been jailed for one year after having séx with a prostitute in a Dubai hotel.
The Saudi tourist, 32, claimed he only hired her for a massage but was sentenced yesterday by the Dubai Court of First Instance.
The 34-year-old Usbek woman was jailed for three years after admitting prostitution,.
She will be placed under police surveillance for three years, according to gulfnews.com.
The man and the woman were also jailed for one month for drinking alcohol.
The Saudi tourist said: 'I am not guilty. I did not have séx with her. I tried to be sociable when I consumed liquor', according to the website.
His lawyer said the pair met at a nightclub and his client invited her back to his hotel room.
He said the woman's story to police was inconsistent and varied between claims the pair had unprotected 'bizarre intercourse' and protected séx.
Gulfnews.com quoted him as saying: 'There he got naked so she could give him a massage...but they did not have séx.
President Judge Mohammad Jamal said both will be deported when they have completed their sentence.
It was not specified in prosecution records how the police were notified in October.
The woman admitting being deported previously from Dubai for working as a prostitute.
The United Arab Emirates has some of the strictest séx laws in the world.
Séx outside of marriage is illegal and people risk prosecution, imprisonment, a fine or deportation if they are found guilty.
It is also against the law for unmarried people of the opposite séx to share a hotel room unless they are closely related.

Mandela Spends Christmas Day In Hospital

Ailing Nelson Mandela was Tuesday visited in hospital by his wife Graca Machel and family as he spent Christmas Day on sickbed, said President Jacob Zuma who joined the family.
“We found him in good spirits,” said Zuma in a statement.
“He was happy to have visitors on this special day and is looking much better. The doctors are happy with the progress that he is making,” said Zuma.
Mandela, 94, was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on December 8. He has been treated there for a recurrent lung infection and underwent surgery to remove gallstones.
On Monday, Zuma’s office, which is tasked with issuing updates on his condition, said doctors had confirmed that he will not be home for Christmas.
But there was no indication of when he might be discharged.
His grandson Mandla Mandela earlier told eNCA television that the family was saddened by his absence from home this Christmas.
“We are greatly saddened by his absence…we didn’t anticipate that he would be away for so long,” said Mandla from Mvezo village, where he is the local chief.
He said the family was hopeful that the much loved elderly statesman will be home soon, adding that his presence was enjoyed by the family and the community of Qunu, the rural village where he grew up and later retired to.
Before his retirement in 2004 Mandela used to host a Christmas feast for impoverished children in Qunu, which was a highlight for many.
Since retiring from public life, Christmas has been a more low-key affair, spent with family.
Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black president after the country’s first all-race elections in 1994, has a long history of lung problems, dating back to the time when he was a political prisoner on Robben Island.
In January 2011 he was hospitalised two nights for an acute respiratory infection.
This is his longest hospital stay since coming out of prison in 1990.

D’banj Shuns Don Jazzy At The Rhythm Unplugged Last Light

It is obvious that the feud between these two best of friends is yet to be settled. Don Jazzy announced last week that he was opening a nite club almost immediately; the Koko Master announced that he was going to open a nite club as well.

Many artists who were on stage at the Rhythm Unplugged show kept hailing Don Jazzy who sat the V.I.P but when D’Banj mounted the stage during Kswitch’s performance neither him nor his brother took notice of Don Jazzy’s presence but just kept performing

This raise some eyebrows on whether these two former Mohits Records owners are still in good talking terms.

Channels Television at it again

Channels Television has emerged the ‘best television station of the year’ for 2012 in Nigeria.
At the 12th edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) held at the Eko Hotels in Lagos, Channels Television beat all comers to clinch the laurel for an unprecedented seven times.
Within the last decade, Channels Television won the NMMA an amazing six times between 2000 and 2010 culminating in the distinction of “Station of the decade.”
Channels Television’s bias for news has placed it well above other competitors in the Nigerian Television industry.

president jonathan's christmas message to Nigerians

Dearest Compatriots,

1.  I greet and felicitate with you all as we join the rest of the world in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah many years ago in Bethlehem.

2.  Christmas and the lessons of Jesus Christ’s mission on earth have great significance for us as a people and there can be no doubt that we all, irrespective of our religious beliefs, can draw immense strength and inspiration from the Messiah’s enduring personification of selflessness, dedication to duty, and  commitment to the well-being of  others.

3.  The virtues and ideals of peace, tolerance,  faithfulness, honesty, justice, fairness, true wisdom, knowledge and understanding which He taught and exemplified also remain very relevant to us in Nigeria as we continue to grapple with the challenges of development and nation-building.

4.  My Administration continues to do its best to give our beloved country effective leadership towards rapidly overcoming present challenges.

5.  As we celebrate Christmas, the ultimate significance of which is the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Saviour for mankind, I urge you all to continue to trust in our unwavering commitment to fully achieving the objectives of our Agenda for National Transformation for the benefit of all Nigerians.

6.  No one should doubt that we have the political will and determination to deliver on our promise of positive changes in the living conditions of our people in the shortest possible time.

7.  While we continue to deal with the regrettable distractions posed by threats to peace and security in parts of the country, the Federal Government remains very focused on the primary objective of achieving significant improvements in priority areas such as public infrastructure, power supply, transportation, roads, health, education, job creation, agriculture and industrialization as quickly as possible.

8.  It is my hope and expectation that more of the efforts, actions and measures we are already undertaking in these areas will successfully come to fruition next year and make the results of the diligent project planning and execution being done under this administration more apparent to all Nigerians.

9.  I seize the opportunity of the Christmas celebrations to express my sincere appreciation, once again, to the vast majority of patriotic Nigerians who have kept faith with this Administration since its inception.

10.             We will continue to count on your support and cooperation, as well as your prayers for peace, stability and progress of our beloved nation.

11.             I wish you all a very merry Christmas.


Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR
President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 25, 2012

Thousands sign petition to deport CNN TV host

Tens of thousands of people have signed a petition calling for British Cable News Network host Piers Morgan to be deported from the United States over his gun control views, the Associated Press reports.

Morgan has taken an aggressive stand for tighter US gun laws in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting. Last week, he called a gun advocate appearing on his “Piers Morgan Tonight” show an “unbelievably stupid man.”

Now, gun rights activists are fighting back. A petition created December 21 on the White House e-petition website by a user in Texas accuses Morgan of engaging in a “hostile attack against the US Constitution” by targeting the Second Amendment. It demands he be deported immediately for “exploiting his position as a national network television host to stage attacks against the rights of American citizens.”

The petition has already hit the 25,000 signature threshold to get a White House response. By Monday, it had 31,813 signatures.

Morgan seemed unfazed — and even amused — by the movement.

In a series of Twitter messages, he alternately urged his followers to sign the petition and in response to one article about the petition said “bring it on” as he appeared to track the petition’s progress.

“If I do get deported from America for wanting fewer gun murders, are there any other countries that will have me?” he wrote.

BLUES SPREAD FESTIVE CHEER WITH HOSPITAL VISIT

It was an afternoon to remember for patients at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after the Chelsea players and management team popped in for a surprise festive visit earlier today (Friday).

Members of the first team squad handed out gift bags full of treats to the children, who will sadly be spending Christmas in the hospital, before happily posing for photographs and signing autographs.

Having trained at Cobham in the morning, the players made their way to Stamford Bridge for the Bridge Kids' Christmas Party, before embarking on the short trip along Fulham Road to the hospital.

The annual visit is an opportunity for the players to spread some much-needed joy to those who are less fortunate, and as Ross Turnbull acknowledged, it's a day which means a lot to everybody involved.

'I have two kids of my own, and to think they could be in hospital for Christmas is really saddening,' said the Blues goalkeeper.

'With that in mind, it's important to us as players to do this, and try to bring some happiness to the kids and families at a difficult time for them.'

Jo Lawson, a paediatric bed manager at the hospital, helped organise the visit, and was delighted to see the children so happy.

'For the children this is great,' she said. 'Some of them will spend Christmas in hospital so anything we can do to brighten it up for them and make them feel happier is great.

'Seeing the smiles on their faces when the players come round the corner is lovely, and they've been so excited all day.

'It's nice for the staff to be part of it too, and we have a lot of Chelsea fans who work here too.

'It does cheer everybody up, and the kids are happy, and can play with their games and things.

'I've been a nurse for 28 years and still love the job, coming in every day and making a difference.'

The Bridge Kids party saw over 150 children, mostly made up of junior members, junior season ticket holders and children involved with Football in the Community, enjoy an afternoon of fun at the home of the European champions.

As always, it was a noisy, chaotic affair, with the loudest cheer of the day reserved for the arrival of the players, who threw themselves into the spirit of the event by helping out with party games and keeping the children entertained.

To wrap the afternoon up, John Terry took control of the microphone and thanked the youngsters for their support, before wishing everybody in the room a happy Christmas.

Pope on Gay Marriage

The Pope has used his Christmas address to the Vatican bureaucracy to disclose the papacy’s stand on gay marriage saying that gay people entering into marriage is against nature in such a fundamental way that it could spell the end of humankind.
“There is no denying the crisis that threatens it [the family] to its foundations — especially in the Western world,” the Pope is quoted as saying. “When such commitment is repudiated, the key figures of human existence likewise vanish: father, mother, child — essential elements of the experience of being human are lost.”
Steve Williams wrote onCare2.com; “Utter nonsense of course, as some gay people marrying does not by extension delete the mother, the father or the child, and to infer that it does is beyond childish, it’s belittling to all intelligent conversation. It also infers what the Pope has previously offered: that people in same-s*x relationships are somehow not human.
Indeed, the Pope seems to have jettisoned all measured response on this issue, going on to say that people are somehow manipulating their identities against nature and destroying the “essence of the human creature.””
The Pope was also quoted by the Independent as saying; “People dispute the idea that they have a nature, given to them by their bodily identity, which serves as a defining element of the human being,” he said.
“They deny their nature and decide that it is not something previously given to them, but that they make it for themselves. The manipulation of nature, which we deplore today where our environment is concerned, now becomes man’s fundamental choice where he himself is concerned.”
Earlier in the week, the Vatican released a full front-page editorial that appears to claim same-s*x couples exist in some sort of different reality because they cannot conceive children together, and that marriage equality is questing after an “unachievable utopia.”
Although nations like Portugal and Argentina, and more recently the United States and Britain, have moved, with increasing support, to offer marriage equality, the Vatican’s stand on the issue is not influenced.
“Man and woman as created realities, as the nature of the human being, no longer exist. Man calls his own nature into question. From now on he is merely spirit and will. [...] When freedom to be creative becomes the freedom to create oneself, then necessarily the Maker himself is denied and ultimately man too is stri*ped of his dignity as a creature of God,” the Pope said.
There has been confusing reports on the stand of the Catholic Church on gay marriage, but the Pope’s address has stated clearly the stand of the church.
The Pope obviously isn’t hiding his stand on this issue as he earlier this month, chose to bless Ugandan parliamentary speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who is now the chief proponent of Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ bill. The bill which was supposed to be passed this week missed its Christmas deadline but would most likely will be taken up in the new year.

Former NANS Secretary, Abiodun Kolawole, Killed In Auto Crash

The executive director of the Ola Oni Centre in Oshogbo, Osun State, and renowned former student activist, Abiodun Kolawole, has died in a road accident.

Comrade Kolawole and his wife died instantly as a 14-seater bus he was driving from Ifako Ekiti reportedly hit a huge crater and then somersaulted.   His assistant was also critically injured.

The former student activist at the University of Lagos rose to the position of Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students under the leadership of Olusegun Mayegun during the vibrant years of the national student body.

Kolawole was 45 years old.

culled: Saharareporters

Prince Tonye Princewill Shares secret on success in marriage

''14 years of marriage! How? One word - Understanding! Welcome to the 15th year. He who finds a wife, finds a good thing!''
These are words of the kalabari Prince, as posted on his facebook page with pix of him and his beautiful wife, Rosemary.

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Omotola Falls Face Flat At Lagos Airport

According to tweets emanating from Nollywood diva, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s Twitter handle, she just returned back to the country and that is no news we know but what however is, she fell face flat at the arrival hall of the Lagos airport apparently due to non-functional escalator and she blames the minister of aviation, Stella Oduah and the Nigerian government for her fall.

The airport which recently underwent a facelift to the admiration of Nigerians has however come under sharp criticism from users and experts alike who argued that the floors shouldn’t have been paved in smooth tiles as it could be slippery and dangerous when wet – and they just got proved right with Omosexy’s fall.

See her tweets after the cut…

Thoughts about the world coming to an end

Talking about this world coming to an end, I actually did not write this article until the said date, because I was a little afraid. You will ask me why, simply because I know I am not so ready for the world to come to an end. Even Russian  President, Vladimir Putin was, if you ask me a little worried cause he took his time to answer the question, during an interview, that the world wouldn't come to an end. I thought Russians are not religious. Seriously, I am not going to talk about who said the world will come to an end, because I don't want to promote the opinion of a set of individuals who wrongly take advantage of people who do not take their time to analyse and understand a phenomenon before accepting it as correct or incorrect. I will not say that I am correct, but I know that I always like to know what lies beneath  because often times it is what is responsible for a phenomenon.
Back to my been afraid, yes I am because there are things that are know that are wrong are wrong and I still go ahead and do them. , lying is one of them. However, to create the correct impression, I don't lie for the the fun of it or all the time, I only lie to save a situation or to avoid a negative reaction. The others, are sex outside wedlock, well as far as I know and I was told it is wrong, but I still indulge. Now don't ask me why, because I am still asking my self why, but as far as I can tell, it is because of the way women have presented themselves to us, Sexy. one will ask what it means to be sexy, it simply means to be sexually appealing. Whatever definition you give to it, is entirely your move to shade the true meaning to gain acceptance. As I grow , I realize that men leave by site and imagination, that they are easily influenced by what they see. On the contrary women react more to what they hear and feel. Women haven realized this take undue advantage and lure men, by letting them see and imagine situations that are erotic and men make this imagined situations real, hence the saying from most women "all men are cheats". This is what will make more than half of the human race not make paradise.
To end, will say that indeed, it could be the end of an era for what it is I don't know, but we should watchful because it will not going to be as usual. A lot will be revealed and we will have to adapt to this new order.

Nkiru Sylvanus's Family paid a Ransom for Her Release

The police in Owerri, the Imo state capital told reporters during a press briefing yesterday that Nkiru Sylvanus' family paid N8 million to the kidnappers before she was released on Thursday night.

The Commissioner of Police, Adisa Bolanta, said the family did this without the knowledge of the police. He said they had warned the family not to negotiate or deal directly with the kidnappers but they defied their orders

"They defied our warnings and continued negotiations with the kidnappers. They went behind us and paid N8 million to them. We have made some arrests in connection with the case and very soon they will all be apprehended." He said

Keshi Finally Selects Nigerian Squad for the 2013 Nations Cup to test them with the Catalolian

In preparations for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa,Nigeria’s Super Eagles will on January 2, play an international friendly game,with Catalonia, at the Cornella-El Prat Stadium.

The last time Nigeria played against the Spanish region,they were hammered 5-0 On December 22, 1998,after a selected set of players soundly defeated the Super Eagles.

Confirming the proposed friendly game,image maker of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire while speaking to Supersports.com said that talks are ongoing between the Catalan federation and the NFF.

“There will be a match of that kind. The (Nigerian) federation is still in discussion (with the Catalan federation) and it would have to be ratified first and then a deal is agreed and signed before we can say it is a done deal,” said Olajire.

The game will feature players from Espanyol and Barcelona,who are from that Spanish region,with Barcelona legend,Johan Cruyff coaching the side.

Some of the players expected to line up against Nigeria include : Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Bojan Krkic, Isaac Cuenca, Sergio Garcia and Joan Verdu. However, might not be play since he is currently injured.


Also , on the Nigerian side, Osaze Odemwingie, Kalu Uche, Obafemi Martins and Yakubu Aiyegbeni are just some of the big names that will not play for the Super Eagles at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey); Bright Dike (Portland Timbers, USA); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

SEC DG must go, Reps insist

THE House of Representatives, has insisted that until the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Arunma Oteh, was fired, the commission would continue to enjoy zero budget allocation.

Addressing journalists on activities of the House in the last one year, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Zakari Mohammed, said:”We will not touch her budget until she is sacked. We have done our findings and we have made our recommendations.  We will always have a meeting point. It is like a child and his parents having a quarrel, they both must meet somewhere.

”We and Oteh are at a meeting point now and as you are aware, it was the House resolution which has the force of the law.”
Mohammed explained that the House and Senate were on the same page on the issue.

On the endorsed 2013 N4.987 trillion budget, Mohammed said the 2012 budget components would not run over to 2013, saying:  “If we allow that, it would affect capital projects in the budget.

”The $79 benchmark was agreed upon by both chambers because we know it is possible as the excess will be used to settle local debts. This development will go a long way in boosting the private sector of our economy. “

Reacting to a question on why the Millenium Development Goals, MDGs, budget was approved, despite the failure of the promoters to defend the budget, Mohammed  said:  “MDGs are  global things and Nigeria is a signatory to them. We will be failing in our duty if we fail to appropriate money for them. “

culled: vanguard

NAFDAC warehouse gutted by fire

A mysterious fire, Friday, gutted the National Agency for Food Administration and Control, NAFDAC, warehouse located at its Oshodi laboratory office in Lagos.

According to an  eyewitness, the fire which started about 7:45pm, Friday.

However, security officials refused journalists entrance to the premises but eyewitness say no life was lost in the inferno.

Fire fighters arrived the scene at about 8:45pm.

The warehouse houses seized fake and unwholesome food, drug and pharmaceutical products.


By Chioma Obinna


culled : vanguard

Sosoliso Plane Crash Survivor's Facial Surgery Successful

The surgery was successful. According to SoutheastNigeria.com, her mother disclosed the good news that though the surgery lasted much longer than they anticipated, it went very well and Kechi is recuperating.On behalf of Kechi, she sends a BIG "Thank you" to each and everyone who said a word of prayer.

To God be the glory.

New Video from D'Banj

Another one from D'Bang, check it out.

Acid bath victim, Chika Egbo dies

Chike Egbo, the 25-year-old student of  Enugu State College of Education, who was bathed with acid by her estranged fiancé, David Suleiman, in November, has been reported dead.

Chika gave up the ghost early Thursday morning, on her hospital bed, at the Burns Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.



Her father, Matthew Egbo, who confirmed the incident told Vanguard that his daughter fell into comma around 11: pm Wednesday night and was placed on a life-support machine before she gave up the ghost around 1:00 am, Thursday morning.

Suleiman was alleged to have attacked Chika and an Okada rider, identified as Sunny Daniel with a can of acid at Bakare Street, Ikotun, Lagos, on November 5, 2012, following Chika’s refusal to allow him access to their only child.

Suleiman, who was subsequently arrested by the police in Ikotun Police Station and was transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Yaba, was later charged to an Ebute-Meta Magistrate court where he was  arraigned on a two counts charge of attempted murder and “causing grievous bodily harm.

Magistrate O. Olatunji who presided over the case granted him bail of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The Magistrate in his ruling stated that the sureties must be blood relations and must present evidence of tax clearance.

Source: Vanguard

Yaya Toure voted Glo-CAF African Footballer of the year

Ivorian and Manchester City player, Yaya Toure voted the African footballer of the year, at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala night, that held at the Banquet Hall, State House in Accra - Ghana. He was also the winner of the last edition.

Nkiru Sylvanus and Kenneth Okoli regains freedom

News reaching us from Imo State, Nigeria says Nollywood actress Nkiru Sylvanus and former Mr Nigeria Kenneth Okoli have been released by their abductors. They where abducted in Owerri, while returning from location. We were however not informed if any ransom was given.

Reproduction without sex, a liberating future for gays?

(CNN) -- Last year on the 50th anniversary of the creation of the contraceptive pill its inventor Carl Djerassi spoke of the coming dramatic changes to reproductive options -- of the technologies that will have just as big an impact on society in the 50 years to come.
After sex without reproduction, reproduction without sex.
In an article in the UK's "traditional values" tabloid, the Daily Mail, titled "A Terrifying Future for Female Fertility," Djerassi said, "There are an enormous number of well-educated, proficient women who, when facing the biological clock, first pay attention to their professional ambitions...in the next 20 years, more young people will freeze their eggs and [sperm] in their 20s, and bank them for later use. They will do away with the need for contraception by being sterilised, and withdraw their eggs and sperm from the bank when they are ready to have a child via IVF."

Aarathi Prasad
That is certainly one option as we develop greater capabilities to store eggs more reliably and safely so that they are not damaged by the freezing/thawing process meant to preserve them. But in the next 20 years, there could be other developments on their way to the clinic. For example -- also to avert damage -- freezing strips of ovarian tissue instead of eggs, or tapping into recently identified reserves of ovarian stem cells that could be turned into a fresh supply of eggs for a woman, at any age; or even creating to order eggs (or sperm) from skin or bone marrow stem cells of men and women.
Early experiments with mice have shown that both sperm and eggs can be generated from the stem cells of males, and eggs from that of females, and that they can be fertilized to produce viable young.
Djerassi described the idea of being able to access healthy eggs later in life as something set to be a fundamental tool of family planning, and one that will empower women just as the pill has. He talked of female colleagues on tough career trajectories just at the time in their life when they are most fertile, and then on into the years leading into sterility.



It's no coincidence in the decade of our life when we are most biologically capable of reproducing, men and women are also working full steam on their studies or on building their careers. In our 30s, fertility declines - after 35, exponentially so -- and specifically for women. Around age 50, while the rest of our faculties continue functioning beautifully, the ability to reproduce comes to an abrupt stop.
There have recently been a spate of reports and discussions about equality -- the dearth of women in science, on the boards of top companies and of the pay gap that has yet to be bridged, but it is not clear that those taking part in this discussion fully appreciate that in pursuing in parallel the fulfilling goals of education, work and having a family, we are limited by both social and biological barriers.
In achieving the hoped-for 40% of leadership positions being held by women, executive bodies like the European Commission and governments could, for example, legislate interventions like free or cheap childcare in all workplaces.
However, only technology can tackle the biological brick wall of menopause, with all its detrimental effects on a woman's health, and especially at a time when she is likely to live another 50 years in this condition.
In the quest for reproduction, only technology can give same-sex couples the chance of having their own genetic children. If eggs can be made from the stem cells of men, with the advent of an artificial womb (already in use for sharks, in development with mammals and projected to be in use for humans within 100 years), it will also give them an organ they currently have to pay surrogate mothers for the use of.
So if it is to be the egalitarian society that we hope to see for ourselves and our children -- particularly our daughters, and those whose relationships and family choices still find themselves the topic of social and religious debate -- then technology that gives an individual the capability to generate healthy eggs and sperm from his/her own body and allows a baby to be gestated independently could offer us a more ethical option than what we do today.
In our world, girls study just as hard as boys but face far more difficult choices once in the workplace. To make money, poor women from countries like India or the Ukraine "donate" eggs or their wombs, or churches refuse to marry gay couples because they cannot be fruitful and multiply.
Freedom, power, choice? It's the alternative that sounds terrifying to me.

See video of Aarathi Prasad interview


culled: cnn

UPDATE ON THE FIRE INCIDENT AT THE MURTALA MUHAMMED AIRPORT

Part of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos was on Thursday gutted by fire.

According to an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, the fire emanated from some cables, which apparently melted under heat, as some welders were working at the extension of ‘D’ Wing of the international airport.

It was learnt that airport officials in an attempt to save the situation swiftly cut off power supply to the arrival and departure halls.

Mr Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said that prompt intervention of the fire service attached to the airport immediately brought the fire under control.

“There were no casualty. The only fallout of the incident was the switching off of the power source which has since been restored.

“Normal activities at the airport which were not interrupted by the fire have continued as planes are taking off and landing without hitches.

Nigeria: Inconsolable Wailing As Yakowa Makes Final Exit -PM News, Lagos

Amina, wife of late Kaduna Governor, Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa told the weeping mammoth crowd of villagers , sympathizers and family members and friends that besieged her husband’s family house at Fadan-Kagoma today that her husband worked for peace , unity and development of the state in his days as governor. She said she believed also he died for the same purpose.


Though the mother of four children, wept and sobbed profusely as she tried to mutter the few words to the tearful crowd, she continued to say in Hausa,

“God knows why this has happened to us at this time, so please let’s give thanks to our God Almighty”.

However, when the corpse of Governor Yakowa finally arrived Fadan-Kagoma for the funeral service at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church, Fadan-Kagoma this morning,many top politicians across the country broke down in tears.

Aminu Yakowa who had earlier been condoling the sympathizer and villagers now broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Among the dignitaries that have arrived for the requiem mass at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church are President Goodluck Jonathan , Senate President David Mark, Speaker House oF Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal , several ministers, nine bishops led by John Onaiyekan, governors , Rotimi Ameachi , Idris Wada , Olusegun Mimiko and Babangida Aliyu.

Others are Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and former Head State, Abdusalami Abubakar.

Senate President, David Mark and other dignitaries at the church premises tried as much as possible to console the widow, Amina.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union , SOKAPU an umbrella body of association of the southern Kaduna people has assured Governor Mukhtar Yero of cooperation and support in the running affairs of the state.

Speaking to P.M.News at Fadan-Kagoma on the sidelines of the burial of the former governor, today, the National President of SOKAPU, Ephraim Goje said the association has accepted the death of Yakowa in good faith and is unwilling to allow his demise to create disharmony amongst members of the different religions and tribes in the state.

“Yakowa represented a symbol of unity while he served the state in the capacity of governor and to honour him, we from his southern Kaduna area are ready to sustain this virtue that has kept the state in peace and unity” Ephraim stated.

He however, urged the new governor to shun rumour mongers and gossips who will come to him under guise of friends or gaining favour to rubbish and destroy the good relationship he has established with area when he worked with the late Yakowa as deputy governor.

While recognizing that it is God that gives power to anyone , he cautioned the people spreading rumour across the state that the late Yakowa was killed by Boko Haram .

“We need to move forward and allow peace to reign, “ he stated.

By Femi Adi; Kaduna

culled: sahara reporters

HELEN PAUL'S NEW LOOK

Jara Presenter, Helen Paul now has a new sexy look. very much like Anita Baker, though they both don't have the same voice, Anita baker's voice is sexy while Helen has different voice.  In all she is beautiful and sexy.

NAETO C DROPS NEW SINGLE 'CAN YOU DO IT'

Naeto C drops new single titled: Can you do it. Check this out.





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EXPLOSION AT MURTALA MOHAMMED INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LAGOS

There has been an explosion at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport,Lagos. We will give you full details of the what went wrong as it unfolds.