Political analysts in Akwa Ibom say Akpabio is backing his current SSG as his successor in 2015. TheWill exclusively obtained the deputy governor's resignation letter. See it after the cut...
Wednesday 31 October 2012
Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor Resigns
Political analysts in Akwa Ibom say Akpabio is backing his current SSG as his successor in 2015. TheWill exclusively obtained the deputy governor's resignation letter. See it after the cut...
NCC to fine telecom companies N5million for failing to provide instant call bills from Nov 1st
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has declared that any telecoms company in the country that fails to provide a free instant SMS call bill to all subscribers from the 1st of November, 2012, will be fined the sum of N5 million as sanction.
The regulator further warned that a further sum of N500,000 per day will be charged as long as the contravention persists.
This was announced by the NCC on Wednesday, in a statement signed by NCC's Head of Media and Public Relations, Reuben Muoka, on Wednesday, mandating all telecom operators to provide instant SMS service to all phone users at the end of every call.
The statement warned that the SMS "must provide full details of the cost of each call, and available balances to the subscriber." This NCC explains is a move to curb subscriber complaints over billing irregularities.
"This service is free to all subscribers with the commencement date for all the operators fixed for November 1, 2012" the statement adds, warning that "any operator which fails to commence the service to its subscribers will be liable to fine in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million) as sanction and a further sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) per day as long as the contravention persists."
The Commission had in an earlier direction issued on August 2012 "that from 1st of November, 2012, all mobile operators shall send free of charge, a message or an alert to both post-paid and prepaid subscribers after every call, SMS, or system generated charge or tariff, with a provison that a subscriber can opt out if he or she so wishes".
The Direction mandates the subscribers to send messages containing six critical information including: Exact duration of the Call Minutes and Seconds, Total Cost for each Call or SMS; Customer Accounts Balance after the last call for prepaid and SMS; Customer Account Balance after a charge or tariff and the reason for the charge or tariff; Cumulative call charges up to the last call within the charging period for post-paid customers; Cost of services and Credit balance upon request by customer for data service.
The NCC claims the direction issued to the telecoms operators is in line with the provisions of Section 53(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
"This direction is a response to one of the major concerns of the subscribers as it relates to the actual amounts deducted from their credit balances by the service providers for each call or SMS sent. "
"With this direction, subscribers are empowered to promptly discover any anomaly in their bills, and will be able to prove if they are billed for calls that they did not make" the statement concluded.
Keshi Invites 24 Home Based For Venezuela Friendly
24 home-based players have been invited by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi for the November 14 international friendly against Venezuela in Miami, United States .
The Eagles camp will be thrown open November 4. The game is one of the friendlies lined up for the Nigerian side in the build up to the African Nations Cup in South Africa, next year.
All the invited players have been adviced to resume at the Bolton White Apartment unfailingly on Sunday, November 4 and are to report with their international passports and two passport photographs (embassy size).
The list consists of two goalkeepers, nine defenders and 13 midfieders and strikers.
All the invited players have been adviced to resume at the Bolton White Apartment unfailingly on Sunday, November 4 and are to report with their international passports and two passport photographs (embassy size).
The list consists of two goalkeepers, nine defenders and 13 midfieders and strikers.
5 Habits That Are Not Healthy For Your Brain
Our daily lifestyle has short and long term effects on our health especially when such lifestyles are unhealthy. The brain is an important organ of the body and unknowingly, some of us engage in habits that may actually be causing damage to the brain.
Eliminating most of these bad habits from our daily routine can help our brain and improve our health status.
Here are five things to avoid to prevent serious brain damage.
1. Cigarettes
Smoking is a bad habit doesn’t only lead to cancer and other health related issues but also affects the brain cells – negatively. Smoking cigarettes, cigars or a pipe robs the body, especially the blood cells of oxygen and essential nutrients the brain needs to thrive.
New research which suggests a direct link between smoking and brain damage was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. It found that a compound in tobacco provokes white blood cells in the central nervous system to attack healthy cells, leading to severe brain damage.
In addition, in the long run, smoking can shrink the brain tissue leading to senile dementia. It can also cause hardening of the blood vessels connected to the brain.
2. Sleep deprivation
Many people are guilty of this habit – depriving oneself of a good night sleep. Sleeping allows the brain to rest and relieve fatigue. A study published in the Neuroscience journals indicated that short-term sleep restriction prevents the balanced growth and depletion of brain synapses, which are the connections between nerve cells where communication occurs.
3. Skipping breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping the first meal of the day not only means eating more at lunch, but also increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular illness (such as hypertension and heart attack) as well as brain damage according to a study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA)’s annual conference back in 2003.
Without breakfast, there is a lowering of the blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
4. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide while decreasing the concentration of oxygen which may lead to brain damaging effect.
The lack of oxygen while asleep may be far more detrimental than when awake, possibly because the normal compensatory mechanisms don’t work quite as well as when you are asleep.
5. Inadequate intake of water
Dehydration can be a negative factor in nearly every disease and condition. Dehydration also kills brain cells. The human brain is mostly made up of water. Without water, brain cells cannot function. They shut down and die (just like depriving a plant of water – it whittles and dies off). So, in preventing loss of brain cells, drink water instead of soft drinks or energy drinks to prevent dehydration.
Eliminating most of these bad habits from our daily routine can help our brain and improve our health status.Here are five things to avoid to prevent serious brain damage.
1. Cigarettes
Smoking is a bad habit doesn’t only lead to cancer and other health related issues but also affects the brain cells – negatively. Smoking cigarettes, cigars or a pipe robs the body, especially the blood cells of oxygen and essential nutrients the brain needs to thrive.
New research which suggests a direct link between smoking and brain damage was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry. It found that a compound in tobacco provokes white blood cells in the central nervous system to attack healthy cells, leading to severe brain damage.
In addition, in the long run, smoking can shrink the brain tissue leading to senile dementia. It can also cause hardening of the blood vessels connected to the brain.
2. Sleep deprivation
Many people are guilty of this habit – depriving oneself of a good night sleep. Sleeping allows the brain to rest and relieve fatigue. A study published in the Neuroscience journals indicated that short-term sleep restriction prevents the balanced growth and depletion of brain synapses, which are the connections between nerve cells where communication occurs.
3. Skipping breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping the first meal of the day not only means eating more at lunch, but also increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular illness (such as hypertension and heart attack) as well as brain damage according to a study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA)’s annual conference back in 2003.
Without breakfast, there is a lowering of the blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.
4. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide while decreasing the concentration of oxygen which may lead to brain damaging effect.
The lack of oxygen while asleep may be far more detrimental than when awake, possibly because the normal compensatory mechanisms don’t work quite as well as when you are asleep.
5. Inadequate intake of water
Dehydration can be a negative factor in nearly every disease and condition. Dehydration also kills brain cells. The human brain is mostly made up of water. Without water, brain cells cannot function. They shut down and die (just like depriving a plant of water – it whittles and dies off). So, in preventing loss of brain cells, drink water instead of soft drinks or energy drinks to prevent dehydration.
Venus and Serena Williams Land in Lagos
History was made again in Lagos on Tuesday as one of the Williams’ sisters and tennis icon, Venus Williams, finally arrived in Lagos, as widely reported in the local and international media. Venus, the older of the two world's renowned tennis icons, arrived in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital about 3:35pm, aboard a Delta Airline flight. She was welcomed to the hands of officials of Connect Marketing Services Ltd and scores of journalists, who had waited anxiously outside of the arrival lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
From the airport, Venus was led straight to a waiting convoy of vehicles and driven to Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island where another group of Journalists had also assembled to receive the tennis queen.
Looking visibly excited about her coming to Lagos, she was accompanied by her managers, who however, did not allow her to entertain any questions from the journalists saying, Venus and Serena will speak to the media elaborately on the purpose of their visit during a Media Conference scheduled to hold on Wednesday 31, October 2012 in Lagos.
Both Serena and Venus Williams are in Lagos as part of the Nigerian leg of a planned tour of two African countries, namely Nigeria and South Africa.
They are here on the platform of Breaking The Mould (BTM) campaign, a women's empowerment programme put together by Octagon and its West Africa affiliate, Connect Marketing Services Ltd.
While in Lagos, they will participate in a number of supporting initiatives such as a tennis clinic, school visit, exhibition match and gala dinner among others.
Through these initiatives, they will be motivating, inspiring and mentoring diverse audiences in particular women and young persons as well as other categories of people to be the best they can be, regardless of obstacles on their way.
Serena and Venus Williams are considered fit as “Mould Breakers” as the story of their lives exemplifies how determination, passion, hard work and self-belief can turn dreams into reality, despite obstacle
Allison Attah, Wife Of Former Governor Of Akwa Ibom Dies-Premium Times
The wife of the former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Allison Attah has died.Mrs Attah, originally from Barbados, died in a Lagos hospital at about 3:30 p.m. on Monday after she lost a six-year long battle to a terminal kidney condition that left her depending on regular dialysis.
Family sources told PREMIUM TIMES in confidence that the burial is likely to take place within the next two weeks, in line with Roman Catholic doctrine.
The husband, Victor Attah, could not be reached to confirm burial plans. Immediate family members said the former governor, who has deep emotionally attachment to his departed wife, was not in a good emotional state to attend to enquiries when our reporter called his Lagos hotel room.
Mrs Attah, a mother of two, was a graduate of Leeds University, UK, where she qualified as a Librarian.
While serving as the first lady of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Attah, who had passion for child care, was chairperson, Child Development Trust, CDT, a non governmental organization that sought to change the lives of under-privileged rural children in Akwa Ibom through the provision of free health care services.
“Nneyin, as she was popularly called among women and children in Akwa Ibom will be missed by millions that her pet project touched their lives,” Ukoh Eshiett, an Abuja-based native of Akwa Ibom said in reaction to news of the death.
From Our News Desk
PHOTOS: Man Served Jungle Justice For Stealing Ram During Sallah Celebration
A man was served with Jungle Justice after stealing ram during the Sallah celebrations.We all know it is wrong to steal another man’s property, be it a pen or ram, but the question still remains, is this the right way to deal with such issues?
Some people have said this is the best way to deal it as people don’t seem to learn from past events e.g ALUU Boys, and still prefer to take the risk of stealing and damning the consequences.
View pictures below and share your take on this.
Tragedy Averted As Aero Flight Makes Air Return Over Engine Problem
What could have possibly been another air tragedy was averted yesterday, Tuesday, when Aero Contractors’ pilot took precautionary measure and returned an Abuja-bound flight to the Lagos airport after one of the engines was said to have developed technical problem.
According to one of the passengers in the aircraft, the flight AJ 133 with over 90 passengers, took off from Lagos at about 6:55 pm yesterday on its way to Abuja and when the pilot noticed a problem with one of the two engines, he made air return after the flight had been airborne for some time.
Efforts to confirm the incident from the airline failed as calls and SMS sent to its media consultant, Simon Tumba, was not returned.
The passenger who narrated the incident to THISDAY, said the flight was billed to land in Abuja after 55 minutes of take-off but midway, the pilot returned to Lagos airport.
“I was a passenger in an Aero flight, a Boeing 737/500 series aircraft, which (developed problem with one engine) and returned to Lagos airport. Passengers were over joyous when it finally landed,” the passenger said.
As at press time, the actual problem of the engine was still unknown, but the pilot decided to return the aircraft to the airport of departure, which was the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
-THISDAY
Robbers gun down 18 people in Kubaro village, Zamfara State
Armed robbers in the early hours of Tuesday reportedly killed about 18 residents of a village, Kubaro, in Dansadau emirate council of Zamfara state.
The area has been plagued by a notorious gang of robbers two have killed scores of residents over the last one year, usually in retaliation for attacks against them or arrests of their members.
The Zamfara state Commissioner of Police and other high level government officials are said to have departed for the community for an on the spot assessment.
More details soon..
Source: Daily Trust
GOLDIE DENIES AFFAIR WITH PREZZO
The social media and general media have been awash with a sort of reports from different quarters concerning Goldie and Prezzo’s relationship. The twosome was housemate at the recently rested Big Brother Africa. Recently, Goldie, who messed herself up big time during her stay in the Big Brother House with all sorts of nasty behavior, has just confessed that there is nothing between Prezzo and herself."I am not dating Prezzo. The state of things between us is the same state of things between me and anyone in Big Brother. We are all friends. I didn't go to Kenya to see him. I went there for an event. People are just assuming there's something going on between us because we are not speaking. Well, everybody is just working for the soap opera that will never come," Goldie said.
Though, not many people will believe Goldie is stating the fact here due to her past record.
Hurricane Sandy: Ocean Surge May Hit Lagos In Seven Days
Lagosians need to be vigilant and be careful when they go to beaches as the Lagos State Government, yesterday alerted residents of a possible ripple effect of the hurricane currently ravaging some parts of the United States of America, such as ocean surge on the state’s coastal areas within the next seven days.Hurricane Sandy has hit the United States hard with over 7 million residents without power, 15,000 flights cancelled in 3 days, and 48 lives lost, while several have been rendered homeless.
The alert was given by the state Commissioner for Waterfront and Infrastructure Development, Prince Segun Oniru; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba as well as Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr. Taofeek Folami, at a joint media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja.
It would be recalled that an Ocean surge which claimed 15 lives occurred on August 17 at Kuramo Beach, Victoria Island.
However, a professor of climatology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor RNC Anyadike, countered that Nigeria could not suffer any ripple effect from the hurricane.
Asked if Lagos could suffer ripple effects from Hurricane Sandy, Anyadike said: “It is not possible. We don’t have hurricanes in West Africa.
“Meanwhile, Hurricane Sandy has already hit land, it will soon dissipate. What kind of ripple effect are they talking about? Do you know how far we are from New York?
“The only thing we are likely to experience is heavy rainfall occasioned by climate change not hurricane.”
Oniru attributed the likely ripple effect of the Hurricane to the location of Lagos, lying parallel to the South America region.
“We want to let Lagosians know what is going on, and what to expect, it is not to create panic, they should be careful around the ocean and lagoon. In the last five to six days, around the Caribbean, from Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and Hurricane Sandy has hit the east coast of America.
“Normally, when such happens, and the magnitude of it hits that part of the world, we always have a ripple effect in Lagos and around the West Coast,” Oniru said.
Ibirogba also urged residents to be vigilant, while he assured that the state government’s emergency response squad was on alert to manage any likely surge caused by the Hurricane.
Taofeek Folami, Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Environment, however, warned residents to refrain from dumping refuse in drainages and canals so as not to block passage of water.
Lagos Boat Mishap: Missing Bodies Recovered
Hours of thorough search of the Imude community lagoon, Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, has paid off as the remaining three bodies out of the 10 that drowned in a boat mishap on Sunday, were finally recovered yesterday by the community search and recovery team.
According to reports, one of the three missing bodies was recovered from the lagoon by the team at about 7:00 p.m. on Monday night while the two other bodies were recovered from the lagoon on Tuesday.
Five bodies had been recovered immediately after the incident occurred last Sunday. And on Monday, two other bodies were recovered.
Baale of Imude community, Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, (LCDA) Chief Ajayi Ashade while confirming the recovery said that the ten bodies have been recovered from the lagoon, adding “the last two were recovered from the lagoon at the early hours of today (yesterday).”
Speaking on the recovery, the leader of the community search and recovery team, Apostle Kehinde Akerele said that they commenced their exercise as early as 6:00 a.m., which has been their practice since the ugly incident occurred in the community.
Akerele emphasized that the search and recovery of the three remaining bodies was done by his team late on Monday and at the early hours of Tuesday. He however commended the Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi for releasing the fund to secure the services of a speed boat which he said made the search easier.
Baale of Imude community after the recovery of the bodies said yesterday that the community would commence rituals to cleanse the community and to appeal to the gods of the land in order not to experience such an incident again.
“The rituals will take place at the river bank. Within the nine days of the rites, there will not be restriction of movement within the community,” Ashade said.
Tuesday 30 October 2012
Oyo's First Lady was not arrested - London Metropolitan Police
Sandy: New York devastation mapped
Super-storm Sandy has devastated parts of the US east coast, leading President Barack Obama to declare a "major disaster" in New York state.
New York, the country's most populous city, is among the worst-hit, with floodwaters swamping the subway system, flooding low-lying streets and wiping out power. Explore the map of New York below to see some of the worst of the damage
Parts of New York City are designated hurricane evacuation zones - low-lying areas most at risk from flooding.
The most vulnerable areas are marked in blue on the map below. Most of the flooding from super-storm Sandy appears to be in these locations.
NEW TRAILER: ASHIONYE RACCAH'S 'JOURNEY TO SELF'!
Now out is the trailer for the soon to be released movie, 'Journey To Self'. Produced by Ashionye Raccah and directed by Tope Oshin OgunThe movie features actress Nse Ikpe-Etim, Dakore Akande, Ashionye Michelle Raccah, Katherine Obiang, Tosin Sido, Kalu Ikeagwu, Femi Brainard, Femi Jacobs, Chris Attoh
Synopsis
Four childhood friends, Regina, Nse, Rume and Alex, receive news that another long time friend of theirs, Uche, has died. Uche was the magnet
Four childhood friends, Regina, Nse, Rume and Alex, receive news that another long time friend of theirs, Uche, has died. Uche was the magnet
that pulled her friends together and over the years had become their shoulder to cry on, so much so in fact that she never felt she could tell them about her own problems. As part of her last request, the ladies travel to Uche’s home in Abuja for her funeral. The four ladies, on arriving at Uche’s house, find that she has left a series of letters in which she speaks to them from beyond the grave. The letters provoke her friends to open up on emotional baggage, as secrets and fears are revealed, leading to a journey of self discovery for Regina, Nse, Rume and Alex.
Capital One: Ferguson Wishes Referee In Wednesday Tie Against Chelsea “Good Luck”
Following their Sunday explosive encounter and the subsequent allegation of racist slur by referee Mark Clattenburg against some Chelsea players, Sir Alex Ferguson has wished referee Lee Mason “good luck” in Wednesday’s League Cup tie between Manchester United and Chelsea.
The fall-out from United’s thrilling victory on Sunday is set to continue beyond Wednesday’s game, when the Premier League’s top two will meet for the second time in a week.
With the spotlight beamed on the centre official, Ferguson has wished “Good luck to the referee,” when asked if he had a message for him.
All eyes will be on the man with the whistle after Clattenburg dismissed Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres on Sunday before allowing Hernandez’s goal to stand despite the United striker appearing to be offside.
It is expected to be another hot-blooded clash, although both teams will ring changes to their starting line-ups.
In tonight’s League Cup fixture, the following teams will be trading tackles:
Leeds United Vs Southampton (19:45)
Reading Vs Arsenal (19:45)
Sunderland Vs Middlesbrough (19:45)
Swindon Vs Aston Villa (19:45)
Wigan Athletic Vs Bradford City (19:45)
I FEEL GREAT CELEBRATING 12 YEARS OF MARRIAGE-OMONI OBOLI
Omoli Oboli is one actress that is different in all ramifications. Beauty, she has it, brain she is well-blessed and her personality too is amiable and worth emulating. She remains one of the few Nollywood actresses today whose marriages are intact. Recently, she tweeted that she’s thanking God for blessing her with such a man as husband. Nnamdi, her husband, soft-spoken, handsome and rich has not only contributed to the growth of the marriage but has well kept it from collapse by simply loving his wife.As you are reading this, the happy couple are already on their way to Holy Land, Israel where they are expected to celebrate their 12th year weeding anniversary.
The thrilled mother and ambassador of the beauty care brand, Venus said, ‘’I feel great celebrating 12 years of marriage. It’s amazing but it seems just like yesterday that we got married. It doesn’t feel like 12 years has come and gone. I am so thankful to God for 12 beautiful years. I have been happy, fulfilled and above all, there’s so much love in my home. My husband and I are best friends and we put Jesus in the mix. He’s with us in the marriage and a 3 fold cord cannot be easily broken! We don’t keep malice with each other, no matter what; we always try to sort out our differences even if we have to agree to disagree, that’s the secret.’’
Commenting on Nollywood marriages that are always cracking every now and then ‘’It really can’t be that hard to find and keep a relationship. It’s all about finding someone that is compatible with you. Find someone who completes you, not someone that competes with you. Marriage is a partnership and it’s in everyone’s best interest if it’s a partnership that works. My weaknesses should be areas of strength for him and vice versa,’’ she said.
“My Marriage Is Not Perfect But There’s No Issue Of My Husband Sleeping With My Daughter” – St. Janet
The story spread like wild fire when it was alleged that lewd singer, St. Janet called it quits on her marriage after she caught her husband, Kaode Iyun, in bed with her 16 year old daughter from a previous relationship
“When I read the story I was shocked. I don’t know where it came from. Nothing of such happened to me or anybody I know. My marriage is not perfect but it’s intact. There’s no issue of my husband sleeping with my daughter. I don’t even have a 16 year old daughter. I have younger sisters who live with me, but nothing of such ever happened. I strongly believe my detractors are at work. I am strongly investigating where the story came from. It was targeted towards my career and they felt the best way they could go about it is to go about spreading false tales about my personal life.”
St. Janet has responded to the story and calls it “false tales.” In her words:
“When I read the story I was shocked. I don’t know where it came from. Nothing of such happened to me or anybody I know. My marriage is not perfect but it’s intact. There’s no issue of my husband sleeping with my daughter. I don’t even have a 16 year old daughter. I have younger sisters who live with me, but nothing of such ever happened. I strongly believe my detractors are at work. I am strongly investigating where the story came from. It was targeted towards my career and they felt the best way they could go about it is to go about spreading false tales about my personal life.”
But really, who would readily admit on the pages of newspapers or blogs that they caught their husband in bed with another lady moreso, their step-daughter?
House Help, 22, Found Dead In Employer’s Home Swimming Pool
Onyeka Kingsley Raphael, 22, (pictured below) was found dead Saturday morning at the bottom of a swimming pool in the home he worked as a domestic servant. Kingsley’s lifeless body was removed from the pool which is located at a house on Babatunde Asimi Street, Ogudu GRA.
His family is however suspecting foul play and have petitioned the police – they claimed that when Kingsley’s body was recovered by policemen from the Ogudu police station, eye witnesses said there were no visible body injuries on the corpse but a twisted neck; a sign that the domestic worker may have had his neck snapped before being dumped into the pool.
Kingsley’s family also found it strange that dinner which the deceased had apparently made for himself the previous night, was lying cold on the kitchen table, with his cap beside it. The family also claimed that Kingsley and his employer, a retired accountant named Tunde Williams had a misunderstanding a month earlier which almost led to Kingsley getting sacked.
Kingsley, who had wanted to quit the job was asked to hold on by his elder brother because he needed the money for school. The security man who was on duty at the time the incident is believed to have taken place, said he didn’t see or hear anything.
The police have promised a thorough investigation with a view to ascertaining Kingsley’s cause of death. To achieve this aim, they have assured the deceased’s family that an autopsy will be carried out.
Meanwhile, the police have revealed that Mr Williams has so far not cooperated with them in their investigations.
Messi Receives Golden Shoe Award As Shortlisted Players For FIFA Ballon D’Or Is Released
Barcelona ace, Lionel Messi has been handed the Golden Shoe Award. The Barcelona man picked up the award on Monday, recognition for scoring the most goals in Europe’s domestic leagues last season – Messi, 25, set a Spanish League record by nettinging 50 goals in 2011-2012, beating Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo by four goals.He has now won the coveted award three seasons in a row – 2009, 2010, 2011.
In a related development, the shortlist of players for this year’s FIFA Ballon D’Or award has been revealed with Barcelona and Real Madrid dominating the list, with no fewer than eleven players shortlisted.
National team coaches and captain, as well as selected journalists, will now cast their votes with a final shortlist of three unveiled on November 29.
The winner will be announced at the FIFA Gala in Zurich on January 7 next year.
Likewise, Chelsea’s Champions League winner Roberto Di Matteo, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Man City gaffer Roberto Mancini feature on the 10-strong FIFA Coach of the Year shortlist.
The other managers shortlisted are Vicente Del Bosque (Spain), Pep Guardiola (Barcelona), Jupp Heynckes (Bayern Munich), Jurgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund), Joachim Loew (Germany), Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid) and Cesare Prandelli (Italy).
THE FULL BALLON D’OR SHORTLIST
Sergio Agüero (Argentina & Manchester City)
Mario Balotelli (Italy & Manchester City)
Karim Benzema (France & Real Madrid)
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy & Juventus)
Sergio Busquets (Spain & Barcelona)
Iker Casillas (Spain & Real Madrid)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea & Shanghai Shenhua)
Radamel Falcao (Colombia & Atlético Madrid)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden, AC Milan & Paris St Germain)
Andrés Iniesta (Spain & Barcelona)
Lionel Messi (Argentina & Barcelona)
Manuel Neuer (Germany & Bayern Munich)
Neymar (Brazil & Santos)
Mesut Özil (Germany, Real Madrid)
Gerard Piqué (Spain & Barcelona)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy & Juventus)
Sergio Ramos (Spain & Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Real Madrid)
Wayne Rooney (England & Manchester United)
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast & Manchester City)
Robin van Persie (Holland, Arsenal & Manchester United)
Xabi Alonso (Spain & Real Madrid)
Xavi Hernández (Spain & Barcelona)
I Deserve The No.1 Ranking, Says Serena
 |
| Serena Williams & Team Pose For A Photo With The Winner’s Trophy After The Final Of TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships On Sunday At The Sinan Erdem Dome, Istanbul, Turkey. |
After backing up her victories at Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open with the WTA Championships title on Sunday, Williams couldn’t agree less with Sharapova and world number eight, Li Na that she is in fact the world’s top female tennis player.
“I think it’s a true statement, without trying to sound full of myself or anything,” Williams told reporters after overcoming Russian Sharapova 6-4 6-3 in the final of the season-ending tournament.
“I always said that if I’m playing well and I’m doing everything right it’s really difficult to beat me. I still believe that.”
Williams triumphed over Sharapova each of the three times they met this year and also won all five of her meetings against number one Azarenka.
“Our baby is the devil” – Parents of 4-week-old boy who can walk, talk and produce fire
Black magic and evil spirits have captured the soul of a new-born baby in Colombia who can apparently already walks by himself and produce fire, his own mother has claimed.Ana Feria Santos gave birth to her son last month but says her joy quickly turned to fear when she noticed that he had ‘several abnormalities’ – leading to fears in her community that he is the ‘devil in disguise’.
She says the boy can already stand up and walk – quite a feat for a child of just four weeks.
Much like the 1976 horror film The Omen, the mother-of-five says he frequently hides around the house, cackles in an ‘adult’ way for hours on end and has an ‘intimidating’ pair of eyes.
She told the RCN Radio station: ‘He walks like an adult, sometimes going off and hiding underneath the bed, in a suitcase, in the washing machine or in the fridge.’
Her neighbours in the town of Lorica, near the Caribbean coast, also say he is possessed by a ‘malign spirit’ and that he is capable of producing fire.
This, they say, is because burn marks have been found on his clothes and a sofa where he regularly sits.
It has led to vigilante attacks on Santos and her taxi-driver husband Óscar Palencia López’s house, which is allegedly being pelted with stones on a nightly-basis by frightened residents.
But the 28-year-old’s story has not been believed by doctors, who have now launched an investigation into the possibility that the new-born could have been abused.
The Colombian Family Welfare Institute, the National Police and the Catholic Church have also all refused to assert the claims that black magic is involved.
A team of psychologists, a social worker, a nutritionist and a lawyer will now look into the case, with a source saying: ‘The child shows signs of abuse.
‘Two small burns were found on the palm of the left hand and for that reason a restoration measure was adopted to [safeguard] the family environment.
‘The parents received a warning while the facts are being clarified.’
Pete Edochie, My Husband And I – Rita Edochie
Tell us your name?
My name is Rita Tony Edochie, I am of the Nollywood. I grew up with my uncle, Mr. Okaka of the Railways Corporation because my mother took me to him immediately after the civil war. I was very small, I was just two years old. I lived with him throughout my primary school and after that, I came to Onitsha for my secondary school. Immediately after my secondary school, I got married. I entered the university and graduated in 1990, I have been a broadcaster with Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS). Acting is a flair and I love it very well.
What is your relationship with Pete Edochie?
A very great one, Pete Edochie happens to be the elder brother of my husband, Tony Edochie of Anambra Broadcasting Service. They are from the same father and mother, that is the relationship.
He brought you into Nollywood?
Well, let me say I followed his steps as well, but it has been something that is inborn, something that I love so much. Even when I was in primary and secondary schools I have been doing stage acting, so it is not just because of Pete Edochie, it is something that is a flair, something that I love so much. Incidentally, thank God in heaven, I got married to the linage of broadcasters and film makers and I joined them.
Why did you dump broadcasting for acting?
Yea, I have been in ABS, I went into Nolloywood. Like I said, it is a flair, something I love doing so much and when you watch acting and broadcasting, they marry each other, so I love doing the two, anyway I try to do my best.
When did you join The movie industry?
Since 1997.
What was the first movie you featured in and what role did you play?
Waterloo, I can’t remember vividly the role I played there but I know I played a role of a mother. I can’t remember to whom I played the role to but it was either to Saint Obi or whomever, but it was Waterloo. After Waterloo, Evil men, then Igodo, immediately after Igodo, everything sparked off.
Did you experience stage fright the first time you were on set?
Let me tell you the truth, as a broadcaster, all eyes were always on me, so I just can’t say I had stage fright but at the same time I can’t say I didn’t fidget. I fidgeted seeing others that started before me, I said ‘oh God am I going to get this?’ But at the end of the day, I got it and that is it.
How many movies have you acted?
Oh, will I be able to count? I will not be able to count but I know it will be up to 100.
Which of them threw you intto stardom?
I can’t really say, some people always say it is Igodo, some say August Meeting but to me as Rita Edochie, I know the ones I did and I believe they threw me to stardom, that is it.
You are not on set in the recent times, what happened, have you resigned?
There is no way I can resign because this is something I know I can do even in my old age, so there is no way I can resign. Actually, it is all about the fees they pay us, you know the least paid artiste, that is the known one earns N400, 000. So there is no way a person that earns N1 million and all of a sudden you want to pay him N200, 000, but it is not their fault, it is the fault of all these pirates. The marketers and producers are no longer making their money, it is not their fault, it is the fault of the pirates. So, I ventured into other things, I went to Abuja, from there, I traveled outside the country, from London back to Gambia, I have been in Gambia for a while doing business, trying to make sure my family is okay, I ventured into business.
When are your fans expecting you back?
Already I am back, there was this movie I shot in Enugu, I can’t remember the name because by the time we shot it, it had no name, it is owned by Remmy Jes. We shot it in Enugu, I don’t know whether it has been given any name, the movie is very great, it was a very massive one, we used four Cannon cameras, the new cameras and you know what it means to use four cameras and when the movie comes out, everybody will be thrilled because it is a very great one. In the movie, I was a witch, I went off my kind of role, I was a witch in that movie because at least people always believe that in every movie, I must cry because I am a very emotional person but this time around, I dealt with people, I didn’t cry. Patience Ozokwor was in the movie, Kenneth Okonkwo, Uche Jumbo, Chioma Chukwuka and others were in the movie and I dealt with Patience Ozokwor, you know she deals with people a lot but I am happy I dealt with her in that movie.
Was that kind of vendetta?
She dealt with me all these years, in fact, I was happy the only one I had opportunity to pay her back.
People prefer epic movies to other kind of movies, WHY?
That is what I am saying, the movie is epic and if you watch my movies each time I am producing, it is epic because I am an African, I love Africa a lot and I am a Nigerian and I love Nigeria a great deal. What we are doing is to showcase our culture like there is this programme I am trying to do in Africa Magic, it is all about culture, you know we don’t speak Igbo language again but when you watch Africa Magic, you will see Yoruba movies and Hausa movies, and we are not happy. So, I have been going to their office all this while for them to give us airtime, and they were like we don’t have content.
Is it true that we don’t have content?
Yes, we don’t have content but I came out to beg our people to come out so we can have our own content, let us start shooting Igbo movies, start doing something about our culture, let us do a lot of things that will showcase our common heritage because we are a great people like the Ofala and new yam festivals, it is all about culture in Africa Magic.
Ghanaians seem to have dominated the industry in the recent times what happened?
Actually what happened was that when we started, we used some Ghanaians, they came down and shot movies with us but at a time, it was like if you don’t use their people we will not sell there and it was a big problem. At a time, they even stopped our people from acting there but I think they are now resolving it. We came to a point that they refused our entry into their country to shoot movies saying that it must be their people alone. We taught them and after that, they were like we have learnt it. So if you don’t use their people, they will not allow you to shoot there.
The old faces are fast faDIng out, why?
They brought in new ones because they have got to pay them peanuts and we are not ready to take that peanuts, the only thing we are doing is to see how we can reorganize our industry, when we do that, then we will be able to come out and say this is the way it should be done. What they do is once they call one senior actor, they will pay others anything and that is what we are going to look into.
People are tired of seeing the old faces every tIME, can’t you groom younger ones?
We have young ones but they can never be like the old ones because they are not doing it well. Ok, Sam Loco is dead, there is nobody that can act Sam Loco, nobody can act Pete Edochie, somebody can act Osuofia, already many people are acting Osuofia, somebody can act KOK but nobody can act Sam Loco or Pet Edochie, that is what I am telling you and what we are trying to say is can we get them? Most of them are just ready to do anything but at the end of the day; they will end up not doing it well. For me, I am a very emotional person, I will not want to go into acting wicked roles not because I can’t do it but when I am acting wicked role, you will know I am just trying to show but for somebody that it is inborn, when the person is doing it, you will see the person over-reacting in the very movie because the person will get it right.
Why do you always cry in movies?
When we shot Igodo, people around were carried away, Pete Edochie couldn’t stand my cry and the producer could not stand it too, they walked away, all the village women around could not stand it, they were crying as if something really happened because I did it real but these people will like to rub rob in their eyes for tears to come out, it has to be natural. Even when I am watching movies that I also participated in, I cry also, so it is just real me, am very emotional.
Do you cry in real life?
That is me, that is what people say about me, I can’t really separate myself from the role I play in movies because like I said I am a very emotional person but it can be separated for others. Take for example, somebody like Pete Edochie, what he acts is not his real life because I know him very well, he is a very typical example. What he acts is opposite of whom he is Pete Edochie is a man that can not leave his house without saying 15 decades of Holy Rosary, he can’t even open his door for you, he is a serious Christian, he is only trying to interpret the script given to him.
What about the controversial allegation of sex before role in the industry?
I love that question, sex before role in the industry. As a person, I have never been harassed by anyone, be it executive producer or producer in order to give me role. But let me tell you the truth, they don’t harass them, the girls are the people that harass, quote me anywhere. Do you know one funny thing that is happening now? Ladies in Asaba pay producers for them to appear in movies, it is happening right now in Asaba. They furnish the producer’s house, buy cars for them just for them to appear and show face in a movie. But I don’t know whether they want to be carrying drugs or not but it is something that is happening in Asaba. They want to pay for them to be seen in the movies. For me, you are paying me for my services. In those days, when we started, I used to drive from Onitsha to Enugu for audition, as a broadcaster. Then, I will just walk straight to the table and register my name and elegantly walk out, the people doing the audition will call me back and give me roles. But these days, instead of the girls going to audition, they will be going from one hotel to the other looking for executive producer’s and producer’s rooms and after that, nobody would want to waste his tape and time because even if you give them the role, they will not do well and at the end, they will end up not giving them the role. After the producers used those stupid girls, they will still not use them in their movies and they will start going around saying, ‘the producer said if I don’t sleep with him he will not give me role’, they are all liars, they are the ones harassing them because when you refuse to go for auditioning and instead go from one producer’s room to the other, what are you looking for? But hey will be the ones crying that they were being harassed.
As an old hand in the movie industry, have you groomed any actor or actress?
Yes, my role model as you heard me shout is Mercy Johnson, that is my African Queen. Of all the girls in Nollywood, she is the person I love most because she is natural to a fault, she can fit in anything, she is over natural, and I like her because she does it well anytime any day, I give it to her. After Mercy Johnson, Chioma Chukwuka, Ini Edo, Genevieve, you see all these girls, they are all good but of all the girls, Mercy Johnson is still the best.
Have you officially retired from ABS?
I have not really retired, I am in the court with Anambra State government because they retired me compulsorily in 2008. So, I had to sue them for N500 million. Since then we have been in court.
Sun Newspaper
Afam Okereke, Sunny Colins Don't Owe Me Any Money--Veteran Actress, Bukky Ajayi Clears Air
In 2008, veteran actress, Bukky Ajayi alleged through an interview that Nollywood producer, Sunny Collins and Afam Okereke filmmaker, Sunny Colins were owing her some money. The said money was the balance of her movie appearance fee worth about 120,000 naira which Sunny Collins had contracted Afam to direct for him. Four years after, Nigeriafilms.com took time and pain to revisit the case and know what became of the allegation.Few weeks ago, we reached out to the three parties involved in the case; Bukky Ajayi, Afam Okereke and Sunny Collins, to know what has become of the allegation made by the iconic actress.
Speaking with Nigeriafilms.com when contacted on phone, Bukky Ajayi confirmed to us that she had long ago received her money through a bank payment from Sunny Collins. Afam, who was the director of the movie 'Fine Thing' which was the film being shot when the incident occurred.
On the part of Sunny Collins, he said he had paid the money and has no problem with Bukky even though she went out of her way to run to the media when the movie icon (Bukky) knew him too well as a man that does not own artistes. He revealed this to Nigeriafilms.com when he was contacted on phone. He informed us that Bukky had worked with him on over three films before the 2008 incident.
Sunny then told Nigeriafilms.com that he has nothing against her as he (Sunny) still sees Bukky as his mother even though he was surprised about the way Bukky handled the issue.
When Nigeriafilms.com contacted Afam Okereke on phone over the issue, he said that though it surprised him that the woman he took like his mother could rush to the press to grant an interview claiming he (Afam) owed her money when it was never the case.
Afam said he was just a director that recommended the actress to Sunny but felt bad with the way things later turned out for him.
The talented movie director said he has nothing against Bukky, as he has moved on in life with better things. Afam revealed to us that he has since forgotten about the issue because those who know him too well know that he does not owe his artistes.
Disclosing to Nigeriafilms.com what actually happened, Sunny Collins said when after he made the first payment available to the artistes, he travelled out of Nigeria for an impromptu reason, which delayed the release of money to Afam who was the director of the movie 'Fine thing' being shot at that time.
He (Sunny) told us that this was explained to all the artistes by Afam and the artistes agreed to continue with their work on the movie set. He then said it surprised him when the talented actress later granted an interview claiming he and Afam were owing her.
Sunny later disclosed to us that why he didn't bother himself about it was because people know him in the industry as someone that doesn't owe anybody. He said most A-list and others, who have worked with him, can testify to that fact.
19-year-old boy in court for possession of fake naira notes
An Ikeja magistrate court has arraigned a 19-year Solomon Banabas for unlawfully being in possession of fake naira notes totalling N14,000, a crime, which contravenes Section 78 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.Quite straight and direct, Solomon has pleaded guilty as charged.
The police prosecutor, Edet Okoi, told the Magistrate that Solomon was nabbed with the exhibit on October 11, 2012 along the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by the police ‘stop and search’ officers.
Okoi said, “The accused was stopped by the police. A search was conducted on him and fake N1,000 notes, totalling N14,000 were found on him.”
The prosecutor also avowed that the man couldn’t give any concrete reason why he was caught with the fake naira notes, thus he was apprehended and further arraigned.
However, the Magistrate J.A. Anabor, couldn’t deliver an immediate judgment on the case, as it was adjourned to October 31, 2012 for further hearing.
Hurricane Sandy: 13 Dead, Immense Damage Reported
Hurricane Sandy has been regarded as one of the largest storms to ever hit the East Coast. The super storm that hit the United States has led to the death of 13 persons while over 6.5 million people have been left without power. New York, the city that never sleeps is now dark.Fire has gutted several blocks of residence in Queens as the super storm made power cables collide and generate sparks.
At least 69 people died from the same storm as it passed through the Caribbean.
For the first time in over hundred years, the New York Stock Exchange will be closed for a second day.
A lot of losses have been predicted in billions as a result of the storm, but the US is not only hit economically, but also politically as it’s just a few days to the US presidential elections.
Global climate experts are already airing their views about the storm. Is it just a natural disaster no one could have done anything about, or is it as a result of global warming constituted mainly by the activities of man?
The current struggle to keep millions of lives safe may not allow for discussion on what anyone could have done now, but hopefully the storm goes away soon, and losses minimal enough to bear.
From our news Desk
Monday 29 October 2012
New Face Of Remodelled Benin Airport [Photos]
As part of her committment towards repositioning and restructuring the aviation sector, Minister Of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah promised that major airport facilities across the country would be given a facelift to ease travelling and give a semblance of comfort – she has begun to deliver on her promise.
Last week, the remodelled General Aviation Terminal of the MMA Lagos was commissioned by the SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim and more are to be commissioned in some months to come.
They (remodelled airports) might not be ‘world class’ now, but they are far better than what used to obtain in the past and a little commendation will not be out of place.
It is expected that these physical improvements will be accompanied by improved oversight functions of relevant government agencies charged with responsibility of ensuring our skies are not only safe for travel but also that they operate within the arm bits of laid down rules and regulations.
Is the transformation agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration beginning to pay off in the aviation sector? Your thoughts…
Currently Worth Around N17.5bn, Bieber Says Owning A Private Jet “Is A Total Waste Of Money”
His latest album, Believe, topped the charts in the UK, the U.S. and throughout Europe, and his tour is sold out.
This amazing success has brought him a £4 million, 10,000sq ft house north of LA, a Disney-princess girlfriend, Selena Gomez, and a £500,000 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van customised with three high-definition TVs and a recording studio. About the only thing lacking in his fairy-tale world is a private jet.
‘No way,’ he says emphatically. ‘It’s a total waste of money. You buy the plane, then you have to pay for storage, and on top of that you have to think about the fuel, the cost of the fuel – that’s maybe $4,000 (N628,000)
‘Even hiring a private plane is like 50 or 60K. Once you get into that it becomes a habit – a bad habit.
‘I’ll get one when I need it – if I have to go somewhere instantly – but you don’t want to buy a plane; it’s definitely not worth it.’
Words of wisdom coming from the mouth of a ‘baby’. The nouvea riche in Nigeria don’t want to hear that – owning a private jet to them is the ultimate status symbol but how much are they worth? How many of them can lay claim to their wealth as a result of hard work and honesty?
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