'The Sassy One'Watch Yvonne Jegede, Kenneth Okolie in movie trailer [Video]
By Unknown - Friday, April 03, 2015
Billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, stands out among Nigerian industrialists by his unique way of carrying out business and expanding his empire. He is further set apart from other African billionaires by his decision to fund 1,000 budding African entrepreneurs as part of a $100m (£67m) initiative to boost the continent’s private sector.
To Elumelu, the young entrepreneurs are Africa’s hope for the future. The 1,000 come from 52 African states and territories and were chosen from some 20,000 applicants.
Last year, Forbes magazine listed Elumelu as the 28th richest African with an estimated net worth of $1 billion. According to BBC’s Lerato Mbele, Elumelu’s donation is the largest by any businessman towards the development of small businesses in Africa.
In a statement issued by the philanthropist billionaire, he said the selection of the 1,000 entrepreneurs had brought him closer to his ultimate goal of driving Africa’s economic and social transformation from within and radically create jobs on the continent.
He plans to spend $100m to support 10,000 entrepreneurs over the next decade and create one million jobs through the initiative.
To Elumelu, the young entrepreneurs are Africa’s hope for the future. The 1,000 come from 52 African states and territories and were chosen from some 20,000 applicants.
Last year, Forbes magazine listed Elumelu as the 28th richest African with an estimated net worth of $1 billion. According to BBC’s Lerato Mbele, Elumelu’s donation is the largest by any businessman towards the development of small businesses in Africa.
In a statement issued by the philanthropist billionaire, he said the selection of the 1,000 entrepreneurs had brought him closer to his ultimate goal of driving Africa’s economic and social transformation from within and radically create jobs on the continent.
He plans to spend $100m to support 10,000 entrepreneurs over the next decade and create one million jobs through the initiative.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari not to disappoint Nigerians.
The Islamic body is headed by the head of Nigerians Muslim Umma the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
Secretary General of the council, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, that the body wishes that Buhari should be prayerful and “focus your attention on how to heal the wounds of Nigeria.”
The former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin directly addressing Gen. Buhari, said:
“Nigerians have great expectations from an incorruptible man, a role model, a gallant officer and distinguished statesman who they could not be induced by money to abandon.
“As you are set to commence this onerous task before you, we urge you to be careful of those who hail you and reflect on the criticism of your critics. Know that every failure is a test and every success is a trial. You have passed the test of past failures and it is the wish of the Almighty Allah to try you with success. For every action, there is a reaction; for every opportunity, there is responsibility and every appointment, there is accountability before man and Allah.
“We pray that Almighty Allah endows you with more wisdom, knowledge, courage and sincere lieutenants to move Nigeria to the next level greatness. We pray that Allah makes you an instrument to heal Nigeria from the various vices that have taken her captive. We wish you success while hoping that the change Nigeria deserves, which you represent, will ultimately materialise.”
He added: “We wish to commend you for the way and manner you conducted yourself during the electioneering campaign, which showcased the beauty of Islam and projected you as a good ambassador of faith who would not descend low to engage in frivolities, despite provocation. Your comportment and demeanour had gone a long way in promoting all that you represent.”
The NSCIA scribe also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat like a good sportsman.
Prof Oloyede said “by that singular and epochal action Your Excellency took by congratulating the winner of the presidential election even before the final result was pronounced, you have taken leadership to a new height and you have honoured Nigeria in the eyes of the world. More importantly, you have effectively preserved the peace of the nation.
“You have etched your name in gold in the history of our nation. Under your watch, Nigeria has organised the best election in her history and it is satisfying that the American ambassador to Nigeria was reported to have said he would recommend a component of our electoral process to his country, which means your administration has positively impacted on the electoral process.
“Human beings are fallible and you have your own weaknesses like the rest of us. We pray that the
Almighty Allah forgives your lapses and directs your future course. Nigerians are indeed proud of you and we are proud to associate with your courage and magnanimity.”
United States Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday congratulated President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
He also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said: “The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections the weekend of March 28. We especially applaud all voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process.
“The United States commends Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the generally orderly vote, on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the results. While we note reports of logistical problems, such incidents did not undermine the overall outcome of the election.
“In January, I traveled personally to Nigeria and met with both President Jonathan and now President-Elect Buhari. At that time, I emphasized that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner and that Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this continent and beyond.
“I also said that it was imperative that these elections are an improvement over past elections and that they need to set a new standard for this democracy. That means that Nigerians needed to not only reject violence but actually promote peace.
“We laud both President Jonathan and General Buhari for their public commitments to the Abuja Accord signed in January and reaffirmed March 26, respecting the official results, and encouraging their supporters to do the same. We commend President Jonathan for his years of service and for having acted in the best interest of his country. We welcome President Jonathan’s calls for unity and calm during this transition period.
“Finally, we extend our congratulations to President-elect Buhari. The United States reiterates its commitment to working with the newly elected government that emerges from this democratic process.”
President Goodluck Jonathan may have prevailed on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to challenge President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in last Saturday’s election.
Instead of planning a case for the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, the Presidency will raise a Transition Committee on Tuesday, a source told The Nation yesterday.
Vice President-elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is likely to head the All Progressives Congress (APC) team which will join the committee ahead of the May 29 transition.
Ministers have started preparing their handover notes, it was also learnt.
It was gathered that although some PDP stalwarts wanted Buhari’s victory challenged at the tribunal, the President thought otherwise.
The party stalwarts, it was said, believe that some irregularities in some states are strong enough to upturn the final results of the election, which was hailed at home and abroad as substantially credible.
Jonathan, it was learnt, said it made no sense —contesting Buhari’s victory— after he had conceded defeat.
It was learnt that the PDP leaders referred to the electoral scenario in Ekiti where the All Progressives Congress(APC) went to tribunal despite the acceptance of defeat by ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi.
The President, however, stood his ground that he would rather stand by his statesmanship attitude than going to tribunal.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has prevailed on PDP to drop plans to go to tribunal against Buhari. He said he wants his word to be his bond, having been applauded by the international community.
“At a point, Jonathan said ‘I don’t believe in post-election petition at tribunal because it distracts the incoming administration’.
“He also said Nigeria must emulate other nations where once the presidential poll is lost and won, the new government must not be distracted with election petitions.
“He told party leaders that he was not interested in going to the tribunal. It is now left for PDP leaders to heed his advice.
“So as at Thursday, the government’s position is that the PDP should not go to tribunal.”
Stating the PDP’s position on the elections in a statement yesterday, Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, said: “We have received reports of serious irregularities that characterized the conduct of the election and we shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.”
He did not say whether the party would go to the tribunal but added: “What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our people. Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times.”
The President in 2010 at the 15th summit of the African Union (AU) in Kampala, Uganda described post-election litigation as a major distraction to governance.
Jonathan said: “It is inconvenient to already be in office and be thinking about election litigation.
“The essence of the immunity clause in the constitution is that if a president or a governor takes an oath of office, he should sit down and concentrate on the job and when he leaves office, he could be prosecuted for any offence.
“But because of the way we conduct our elections, the president who sits in office is still battling and being distracted with election issues, and it affects us.”
The transition committee is likely to be constituted next week.
Another source added: “The Presidency is working on a seamless transition from Jonathan’s administration to Buhari’s. The details are being worked out.”
“I think by next week, the picture of the transition committee will emerge. The government is working early on the transition because it involves a lot of work.
“The APC team will have to collaborate with the committee and ask questions if there are grey areas.”
Meanwhile, Ministers have started compiling their handover notes, which will be part of the integral aspect of the report of the transition committee.
Popular political drama series, House of Cards, has entered its fourth season, producers recently announced.
Political drama series, House of Cards has entered its fourth season as cast and production crew are expected to go back into production in 2015 summer for a 2016 premiere.
Netflix announced the renewal of the political drama series for the fourth time on Thursday, April 2, 2015 ahead of a 2016 premiere.
Starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright as Washington D.C. power couple Frank and Claire Underwood, House of Cards took home three Emmys for its first season in 2013, including a best directing win for executive producer, David Fincher.
Although Netflix famously keeps its streaming stats under wraps, the series also saw Wright winning
a Golden Globe for her role in 2014 and Spacey nabbed Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance earlier this year.
Adapted from the BBC miniseries of the same name, House of Cards was Netflix’s first foray into original series.
Journalists demand immediate release of Aljazeera reporters detained in Maiduguri
By Unknown - Friday, April 03, 2015
The President, Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Malam Mohammed Garba, on Thursday April 2, demanded the unconditional release of Aljazeera reporters, Idris Ahmed and Ali Almustapha, held in Maiduguri by the Nigerian Army.
Garba made the demand while addressing Journalists in Abuja.
He said that the recent restriction of Ahmed and Almustapha of Aljazeera Network in a Maiduguri Hotel by the Nigerian Army has heightened concerns for the safety of Journalists.
He said that the Federation is conscious of the fact that the responsibility of all Journalists in Africa is to monitor governance, adding that Journalists also hold governments accountable to the masses.
He said that with this situation, Journalists in Africa now live in fear of the unknown.
Furthermore, Garba noted that the Journalists have contributed towards the success in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.
The FAJ president stressed the Federation's commitment to a coordinated action to ensure the safety
and security of Journalists across Africa as enshrined in the November 2007 Abuja Declaration.
"Coordinating actions to improve the safety and security of Journalists and work with international agencies and other stakeholders to confront impunity and build a culture of safety in Journalists, we accordingly call on the Nigerian Military to release these Aljazeera staff unconditionally and without any delay," he said.
Garba said the Federation planned to hold a solidarity march at the Nigerian Embassies across Africa, demanding their release.
Wedding BellsBello El-Rufai and fiancée, Kamilah, to wed tomorrow
By Unknown - Friday, April 03, 2015
Bello El-Rufai, son of Nasir El-Rufai will be tying the knot tomorrow, the 3rd of April, with his lovely fiancee, Kamila.
Former minister of the F.C.T, Nasir El-Rufai officially released an open invitation to his son Bello's wedding on his Facebook page.
Heres the post:
My son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai will, by God's Grace, be getting married to Kamilah Haruna tomorrow Friday, April 3, 2015. This is to invite all my friends that can attend to be at the Wedding Fatiha at 11am at Al-Nur Mosque along Ibrahim Babangida Way, Wuse 2 Abuja. Reception follows immediately at the River Plate Park almost opposite Abia House, Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja. We thank in advance, all those that are able to attend, and hope that everyone will help put the couple in their prayers. - Nasir El-Rufai, for the El-Rufai Family.
Happy married life to the soon-to-be couple.
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May 8th – 10th, 2015
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WED Expo Lagos
April 24th – 26th, 2015
Venue: The Haven Event Center, Ikeja, LagosShared Booth – N60,000
Economy Booth – N100,000
Standard Booth – N150,000*Note: Price is for all 3 days
WED Expo Abuja
May 8th – 10th, 2015
Venue: M&M Event Center, Garki, AbujaShared Booth – N60,000
Economy Booth – N100,000
Standard Booth – N150,000*Note: Price is for all 3 days
WED Expo Port-Harcourt
May 16th – 17th, 2015
Venue: Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port-HarcourtShared Booth – N50,000
Economy Booth – N80,000
Standard Booth – N130,000*Note: Price is for 2 daysAbuja and Port-Harcourt Exhibitors get 20% if Booked before March 20th.
WED Expo Lagos
April 24th – 26th, 2015
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Economy Booth – N100,000
Standard Booth – N150,000*Note: Price is for all 3 days.
WED Expo Abuja
May 8th – 10th, 2015
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Standard Booth – N150,000*Note: Price is for all 3 days.
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May 16th – 17th, 2015
Venue: Aztech Arcum, Stadium Road, Port-HarcourtShared Booth – N50,000
Economy Booth – N80,000
Standard Booth – N130,000*Note: Price is for 2 daysAbuja and Port-Harcourt Exhibitors get 20% if Booked before March 20th.
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Liverpool player confirms rejecting new contract amidst Arsenal link
By Unknown - Friday, April 03, 2015
RAHEEM
Raheem Sterling has confirmed that he has rejected an improved contract offer of about £100,000-a-week from Liverpool.
The 20-year-old forward has been in the news recently after reports emerged that he is ready to leave Liverpool this summer.
In an interview with BBC Sports, Sterling confirmed the reports that he had turned the new contract offer before adding, "It's not about the money at all".
"It's never been about money. I talk about winning trophies throughout my career. That's all I talk about," he said in the in-depth interview with BBC.
"I don't talk about how many cars I'm going to drive, how many houses I've got. I just purely want to be the best I can be.
"I don't want to be perceived as a money-grabbing 20-year-old.
"I try to kill it off, but I don't think the public can see it that way.
"I think they just see it as this 20-year-old boy being greedy," Sterling said.
He revealed that while he would have signed a new contract straightway last year even with lesser pay, he now wants to have a long rethink before making further decision on his career.
"I just want to take the time to think about what I've achieved in my career so far, where I need to go and what I need to do to get better as a player.
"Everyone's dream growing up is seeing themselves in an away kit somewhere in a sunny country. But, in reality, I'm happy to be playing for Liverpool and trying to win trophies.'
"If, at that point in time [last season], I was offered a contract, I most definitely would have signed straight away, probably for far less money than being said now.
'" just think the timing was a bit off,' he said.
Arsenal has been linked with the 'want-away' star and the Liverpool star forward the reports of the London club's interest on him is 'quite flattering' sparking reports that he would prefer a move to the Arsene Wenger led club.
We have to thank Goodluck Jonathan, firstly, for the rude awakening of the politically unconscious young Nigerian, and secondly, for his political maturity during the election.
Congratulations to the man of the moment, Muhammadu Buhari, for his die hard resilience and victory at the polls.
This is not a like-Buhari-like-Lincoln piece. This is also not a scholarly work. It’s something a Free Reader would write. You know the Free Reader? That guy that resumes every morning at newspaper stands and never buys a single one. These are things that Free Reader wants addressed in the first 100 days:
1. Security: One of Nigeria’s biggest problems at the moment is the North-East insurgency. It’s why the world is looking at us. We’ll notice that the past few weeks have seen the Nigerian troops gain significant victories against the insurgency alongside the international coalition. It’s expected that the President builds on that momentum. Pretty basic.
The happy ending or should I say “glorious beginning”, will be closure on the Chibok girls and the other hundreds being held against their will. I say closure because the two sides of the coin are fear and hope.
Fear that we’ll probably never find all the girls, because, let’s face it, girls are expensive to hold. The sanitary issues might seem minor, but when you multiply that by almost 300, plus the hundreds of others they’ve kidnapped, you know there’s a legitimate worry that the Chibok girls might have been handled by Boko Haram the ‘more profitable’ way. Hard to swallow but true.
The only glimmer of hope is the reports of people who have escaped from Boko Haram camps saying they know where the girls are kept. Besides that, Boko Haram has no logical reason to keep them, except as a bargaining chip.
Nigerians should expect a miracle as regards this.
Let’s go to the other end of the country, the South-South. Their brother has lost. Perhaps it’ll be important to keep it in mind that they have the resources to upset order. Which brings us to the next issue.
2. Reconciliation: If we must be honest with ourselves, this election stinks of ethno-religious sentiments, looking at where Buhari and Jonathan had their ‘power’ votes.
Most of the people from the South-south and South-east who didn’t vote for Buhari had two issues; old ‘northern’ wounds and ‘Islamisation’,
The Islamisation agenda is as real as Lady Koi Koi, but the old ethnic wounds are the main issues.
Let’s face it, we fought a war and moved on like wounds don’t turn to ulcers when left untreated. We need a proper reconciliation process that will make secession movements become irrelevant. Not only will it be good for National unity, it’s the most brilliant thing to do, politically. New allies, etcetera.
The person he must draw the closest to himself is his predecessor in this aspect.
3. Cut down on Government spending: These are hard times. Nothing will bring the goodwill of the people like showing empathy. The masses literally pay with their sweat for the excesses of the government. Most people believe he’ll look into it. I believe too.
Imagine Buhari cutting down his allowances and the pressure the people can mount of the legistlature to do the same. This is one thing that wouldn't surprise us with Buhari.
4. Power: One industry with arguably the largest amount of jobs created since 1999 directly and indirectly is the Telecomms industry. Think about the airtime sellers, think mobile phone retailers. Yep, that’s a lot.
Imagine a Nigeria where we fix power. Mind-blowing possibilities. The industries will return. Cost of production will reduce for small businesses to grow and that can help create more jobs.
See, if Nigeria’s power problem is fixed, jobs will fall in line.
Imagine someone like Messiah Prof. Attahiru Jega at the helms with NEPA, or is it PHCN? I mean, we could bring back someone like Prof. Barth Nnaji. I remember how much improvement we got when he was in charge.
5. Why the people voted you: Buhari wears the Anti-corruption tag so much that you get the feeling that his body rejects any form of biological corruption, whether malaria or headache, or even the cancer that some people insisted was killing him.
This is the reason Buhari won. This hope that somehow, with the swish of his thin mustache, corruption is going to disappear like it was never here. We’ve hit rock bottom. I mean, we are already drilling the rocks.
I might be asking for too much, but Buhari is President, the first democratically elected leader that wanted to be a leader, not one that stumbled upon it by chance. There are no limits.
But for the love of all, whether winners or not-winners, I say the only direction to go, is forwards.
Stay close to those who put you in power, the people. Those who came out in the rain and sun for you. Some of them gave their lives for you because they believed.
You can go from Messiah to Antichrist in a flash. Ask the person whose bed you’ll be sleeping on come May 29.
The Cute Edo Born Israel Strong IS a Most sought for Gospel Artist who sings from within ushering people who listen to his songs into the world of ''Changing Hearts''.
Many have been healed and others saved through his ministrations.
Israel Strong attended the Benson Idahosa University.
The young Awesome singer is making waves in hissong ''Life of A Winner.
SOmetimes the smile isnt just what tells the word what is going on in your mind.
The Attitude is...
The photo explains it.
It was a bad day in the office for a 30-year-old man, Eyo Effiom, who was caught by residents of Edgerton/John Stone area of Calabar South, Cross River State, when he went to vandalise a transformer and steal electric cables at about 2am on Monday, March 30, 2015, as he was beaten to a pulp.
The culprit who confessed to the crime, said he had been in the business for a while and had a ready buyer in an Alhaji based in the town.
"I have been alone in this venture since the beginning of 2015. They have arrested almost all my fellow gang members.
When I steal the cable, I have an Alhaji at Bogobiri who comes with his vehicle as early as 3am to carry the items and pay me cash."
An eyewitness reported that Effiom had been vandalising transformers in the locality for more than two years and was caught in the act while trying to remove the armoured cable.
"We knew he was the one because we chased him from a transformer he was trying to vandalise sometime last month, but he escaped.
Immediately I saw him again, I recognised him and alerted my colleagues and we arrested him."
A community leader in the area, Chief Mike Ekpo, said the vandal had forced the residents to spend thousands of naira on protection of transformers.
"We are really surprised because Effiom lives in this neighborhood. His house is on John Stone Street. We have had to replace stolen transformer components two times this month (March).
The armoured cable he tried to steal costs N60, 000. We are glad that a vigilance group set up to check these criminals and today we have caught the thief."
The helpless thief was handed over to the police.
A 38-year-old South Carolina, USA, man, Patrick Donahue Tolbert, has been arrested by the police after he brutally beat up his pregnant wife after she bought him 12 cans of beer instead of the 18 cans he requested.
Tolbert was arrested on charges of criminal domestic violence and has been detained at the Kershaw County Detention Center.
Police officers say they went to the couples' apartment located at 149 Willow Creek Boulevard, after a distress call and met the victim who said that she was assaulted by her husband of two years.
The victim told the officers that Tolbert had been drinking all day and threatened force against her if she did not buy him 18 cans of beer.
The victim agreed to buy her husband 12 cans of beer, but he wanted nothing less than 18.
She went to the store and bought the beer, but when she returned to the residence, her husband was waiting outside the residence with a weapon and began hitting the front of her vehicle, causing damage.
The woman was able to escape to the home of a neighbor and called the police.
This song is said to have hit the airwaves a month ago and has ever since been playing on various radio stations.
Joleeta Aaron Damap popularly called ''Joleeta'' in a stressed pattern is a dynamic Rnb, Pop and solo artist who has music at heart and has ever since touched many lives with her songs, amongs which are: Specially for Nija, For you to stay and The recent spend my dou. She has had duets with Alchadas, Emuan and a host of many other.
