Chimamanda Adichie disagrees with Buhari on Nigeria Governance
“He had an opportunity to make real reforms early on, to boldly reshape Nigeria’s path. He wasted it,”
The largest cities in Nigeria: ranked 1 to 10.
List of largest cities in Nigeria is different from the list of most loved cities in Nigeria
Ankara Dresses, Prints, Latest Fashion Trends
It started as a movement in Africa, Ankara, the African prints has become the latest fashion trends in the globe. Ankara Inspired by the locals and designers in Africa has become the next big thing. Osas eye brings you a collection of the best Ankara dresses
Who will bring back Nigeria’s lost girls?
If Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan can free the missing girls, he would have done it before now. He can't. He failed
African Clothing, Traditional Men's Fashion Styles
African wear continues to rock the fashion trend. From Nigeria to South Africa, Osas eye gives you look at some of the jaw dropping traditional wear by African designers for men
Friday, November 30, 2012
Bianca gets lion share of Ojukwu's will and a secret daughter Tenny Haman appears in the will
The late Biafran warlord willed the Casabianca Lodge at No. 7, Forest Crescent, GRA, Enugu, two properties at Jabi and Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory as well as all his money and personal effects to Bianca, his widow. He also stated in the will that Bianca should replace him as the trustee in the family company, Ojukwu Transport Ltd, while he also gave her two plots of land in his village at Nnewi. A clause was however included that if she re-marries, she would forfeit the land.
The first son, Chukwuemeka Jnr., was given the family house at Nnewi, while Tenny Haman, a daughter who the deceased would be mentioning for the first time ever, got the Jubilee Hotel located in Zaria, Kaduna State. Other landed property in the village were also listed to be shared among all his children. Ojukwu also listed the trustees and executors of the will to include Bianca, Emeka Jnr and Mr James Chukwuneme.
Speaking after the presentation, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu expressed shock at the mention of a new daughter. She however expressed satisfaction at the content of the will.“It was a fair will, he did not disappoint us”, she said.
South Korean pop singer Psy attends music gala in Hong Kong
Psy's song "Gangnam Style" has swept the world this year
Dr Dre tops Forbes music richlist
2. Roger Waters - $88 Million
3. Elton John - $80 Million
4. U2 - $78 Million
5. Take That - $69 Million
6. Bon Jovi - $60 Million
7. Britney Spears - $58 Million
8. Paul McCartney - $57 Million
8. Taylor Swift - $57 Million
10. Justin Bieber - $55 Million
10. Toby Keith - $55 Million
12. Rihanna - $53 Million
13. Lady GaGa - $52 Million
14. Foo Fighters - $47 Million
15. Diddy - $45 Million
15. Katy Perry - $45 Million
17. Kenny Chesney - $44 Million
18. Beyoncé - $40 Million
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers - $39 Million
20. Jay-Z - $38 Million
21. Coldplay - $37 Million
22. Adele - $35 Million
22. Kanye West - $35 Million
24. Michael Bublé - $34 Million
Madrid's derby the highlight of the weekend in Spanish football
There is no question which is the biggest game of the weekend in the Spanish Primera Liga. Football fans only have to go as far as Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium where the home side take on rampant neighbors Atletico Madrid on Saturday night.
Hardened by coach Diego Simeone and fueled by striker Radamel Falcao, Atletico Madrid appears poised to finally break Real Madrid's dominance of the Spanish capital derby with a long-awaited victory its fans have been coveting for 13 years.
Atletico enters Saturday's game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in second place and a commanding eight points ahead of its crosstown rival after its best start in club history with 11 wins a draw and one defeat.
Mourinho had to listen to boos from sections of the crowd on Tuesday night after last weekend's 1-0 defeat against Betis and a summer departure from the Bernabeu looks increasingly likely.
However, Atletico have to overcome the weight of history if they are to defeat their neighbors - their last win against Real Madrid came in 1999 and Real keeper Iker Casillas has since played 23 Madrid derbies without tasting defeat.
Regarding teams, both sides should be almost at full strength with Gonzalo Higuain and Marcelo still missing for Madrid, where the only doubt is whether Luka Modric or Mesut Ozil will play in the advanced midfield role.
Perhaps a draw in the Madrid derby would be the best result for FC Barcelona, who entertain Athletic Club Bilbao two hours before the derby kicks off. A win for Barca would see them temporarily go 14 points ahead of Real and six clear of second place Atletico.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
80 foot tall Christmas tree shines Rockefeller Center, New York
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attends the ceremony to light up the 80-foot-tall Christmas tree on Wedsnesday.
Angry husband kills wife and children
The couple's 12-year-old son was the first to alert neighbors that his mother and two younger siblings were locked in their blazing home.
"My father and my mother had a fight and my father threatened to burn our house. He threw a lantern onto the bed and left home," the boy said.
The fire, which broke out Wednesday evening, quickly spread to neighboring houses, most of which were built with wood.
Late-arriving firefighters were hampered by low water pressure and the blaze burned down seven houses before it was extinguished.
Location: ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar
South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu wins UNESCO/Bilbao prize for human rights promotion
Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova has designated South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 90 as the winner of the 2012 UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights, the UN agency announced in a statement.
Archbishop Tutu was selected by an international jury in recognition of his outstanding contribution to building a universal culture of human rights at national, regional and international levels and his dedication to the work of the United Nations and UNESCO on various human rights issues.
The archbishop was appreciated by the jury for the outstanding role he played "in building the new democratic, non-racial South Africa and his invaluable contribution as Chairperson of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to national reconstruction which became a model for other post-conflict societies," the UNESCO statement said.
The prize will be awarded on Dec. 10, the Human Rights Day, by Director-General Bokova at UNESCO's Paris Headquarters. Archbishop Tutu will be represented by his eldest daughter Thandeka Tutu-Gxashe.
The biennial UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights was established in 2008 thanks to a generous endowment from the City of Bilbao. It rewards outstanding contributions made by organizations and individuals to the cause of human rights through education and research.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal. His father was a teacher, and he himself was educated at Johannesburg Bantu High School. After leaving school he trained first as a teacher at Pretoria Bantu Normal College and in 1954 he graduated from the University of South Africa. After three years as a high school teacher he began to study theology, being ordained as a priest in 1960. The years 1962-66 were devoted to further theological study in England leading up to a Master of Theology. From 1967 to 1972 he taught theology in South Africa before returning to England for three years as the assistant director of a theological institute in London. In 1975 he was appointed Dean of St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, the first black to hold that position. From 1976 to 1978 he was Bishop of Lesotho, and in 1978 became the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches. Tutu is an honorary doctor of a number of leading universities in the USA, Britain and Germany.
Desmond Tutu has formulated his objective as "a democratic and just society without racial divisions", and has set forward the following points as minimum demands:
1. equal civil rights for all
2. the abolition of South Africa's passport laws
3. a common system of education
4. the cessation of forced deportation from South Africa to the so-called "homelands"
IBB's Justice Denied
Motherlan presents Omo Jayejaye from Lagbaja's new album
Kendall Jenner on the cover of Vogue
Despite her envy, Kim Kardashian tweeted how proud she was of her younger half sister posting “The Miss Vogue shoot @kendalljenner shot is stunning.”
Kind neighbor inherits 13million estate
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
British Fashion Awards: Stella, daughter of legendary singer Sir Paul McCartney named Designer of the Year
Stella McCartney who created the kit worn by team Great Britain during the summer Olympics two awards at the British Fashion Awards in London’s Savoy hotel last night. Stella took home awards for both Designer of the Year and Designer Brand of the Year.
The winners at the 2012 British Fashion Awards are
Made in China: World's tallest skyscraper to be built in 90days
A Chinese construction company Broad Sustainable Building (BSB) is planning to build the world’s largest skyscraper 2,749 feet-tall, 220 story building, dubbed “Sky City,” over a period of just 90 days in Changsha in Hunan province, China. The work will start January and to be completed in March.
It took over five years to build the current tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
Workers will complete five stories a day to build the soaring tower, which will be able to house 31,400 people, the company’s senior vice president told Construction Week Online.
BSB built a 15-story hotel in just 48 hours back in 2010 and a 30-story tower in 15 days in 2011.
However, the company has never constructed a building higher than 30 stories.
Nine of the world’s tallest buildings are currently being built in China.
Monday, November 26, 2012
A happy birthday to you Don Jazzy
Nigerian record producer, singer-songwriter and CEO of MAVIN records Michael Collins Ajereh better known Don Jazzy clocks 30 today, November 26, 2012
Ojukwu's Message after losing the Biafra civil war
A year after his death, here is one of Ojukwu's greatest speech
Proud and heroic Biafrans, fellow countrymen and
women, once again I salute you. My Government has
been reviewing the progress of this war that has now
raged for the past two and a half years with
increasing fury. It is well that at each stage we
remind ourselves of the purposes of this war, what we
are fighting to safeguard, and why we are so
determined to continue to defend ourselves.
You have borne the brunt of the strains of this fight.
You have suffered unmentionable privations at the
hands of an enemy that has used every conceivable
weapon, particularly the weapon of starvation, against
an innocent people whose only crime is that they
choose to live in peace and security according to
their own beliefs and away from a country that had
condemned and rejected them.
Your heroism as a people has sustained our gallant
armed forces in defending the territory of our
fatherland and in giving you that protection that we
all so ardently need and desire. You have had your
villages and homes ravaged and plundered, your assets
destroyed, millions of your sons and daughters
murdered in cold blood, and your youth condemned to
misery by the enemy's recent movements and
indiscriminate shelling and bombing of hamlets,
villages, and refugees in their camps and on the
roads.
All this sacrifice has been in the interest and with
the sole purpose of achieving security which was the
main motive forcing our taking up arms to defend
ourselves. We had proclaimed ourselves a Republic
independent and sovereign because we were and are
satisfied that only through it can we guarantee our
security. Nevertheless we left the door open and
[declared] on several occasions that we welcomed any
other initiative that offer us the security we need.
Each time we have said so our enemies and detractors
have mischievously distorted our statements. We are
entitled in the light of our recent experience to
demand to know what measures are being proposed for
our security.
The task of a leader of a people at war is to be
responsive to the plight of his people, to determine
what level of sacrifice can be accepted. Your
patriotism has exceeded all expectations and earned
worldwide admiration for your fortitude. Armed with
your mandate I have striven to apply the forces at our
disposal to the best of our ability against
overwhelming odds. Throughout we have made strenuous
efforts for peace, taking initiatives of our own to
get peace talks going, made compromises in order to
get our adversaries to settle our conflict at the
conference table. Each time a callous world has
imposed a new set of conditions. Each condition that
we fulfil gives rise to an entirely new one.
More recently, some friends of both sides have made
some proposals for an arrangement with Nigeria that in
our view will offer to Biafrans the security to which
we aspire. This has been referred to as certain forms
of union, confederalties, association, or commonwealth
arrangements with Nigeria.
Once more, to show our honesty, and in accord with my
own frequent affirmations that I would personally go
anywhere to secure peace and security for my people, I
am now travelling out of Biafra to explore with our
friends all these proposals further and fully and to
be at hand to settle these issues to the best of my
ability, always serving the interests of my people.
Our detractors may see this move as a sign of collapse
of our struggle, or an escape from my
responsibilities.
If, God helping, we can by this latest show of
earnestness secure for our people the end of
destruction of your homes and property, I shall be
satisfied that this venture on which I embark with
your blessing has yielded fruit. I know that your
prayers go with me as I go in search of peace and
that, God willing, I shall soon be back among you.
In my short absence I have arranged for the Chief of
General Staff, Maj-Gen. Phillip Effiong, to administer
the Government with the rest of the Cabinet to run the
affairs of this Republic while I go on this mission,
accompanied by my Political Adviser and my Chief
Secretary.
I once more pay my tribute to the Biafra Armed Forces,
and urge all ranks to maintain their positions while I
seek an early and honourable end to this struggle and
all the suffering it has brought on our people. Proud
and courageous Biafrans, [noble] Biafrans, Biafra
shall live. God bless you all.
(1) Pre-recorded and broadcast over Biafran radio at
6:00 a.m., 11 January 1970.
(Text from B.B.C ME\3277\B1.)
One year memorial of late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the former Biafra warlord
Double suicide car blast in Kaduna leaves 11 dead
At least 11 people were killed and about 30 injured after twin car bombs Saint Andrews Protestant church inside military barrack, Jaji, in Kaduna (northcentral Nigeria)
A bus laden with explosives first rammed into the Military Church at about 12 noon, said the director of army public relations Brig Gen Bola Koleoso. Then a Toyota Camry car parked just outside the church exploded 10 minutes later, as people fled the first blast, he said.
Jaji is a symbolic target as it is home to the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, one of the country's most important military colleges, training Nigerian and foreign navy, air force and army officers.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack, but a radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has previously targeted Nigerian military institutions.
The attack comes two days after a special military task force announced that it would be giving a total of $1.8 million in rewards for information that could lead to the arrest of top Boko Haram members.
The twin blasts also came a month after another church was attacked in the city of Kaduna, about 25 miles (40 kilometres) away from Jaji.
In that attack, a suicide bomber rammed an SUV loaded with explosives into St Rita's Catholic church holding Mass on Oct 28 in Kaduna, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 100 others, authorities said.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
NIGERIA: 2012 Abuja Carnival
The opening ceremony which held at the Eagle Square in Abuja was preceded by a procession which commenced from Area 1, Garki, Abuja by contingents from participating states of the federation and visiting cultural troupes from Egypt, India, Trinidad and Tobago, China, South Africa, Cameroon, The Sudan, Botswana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal..
The carnival includes a chain of activities ranging from street carnival, children fiesta, cultural night as well as traditional food fair and bush bar, masquerade displays, boat regatta, command performance and contemporary music fiesta. The varieties of activities are so different, but intertwined and capable of holding the interest of spectators to the end of the four-day event.
The carnival is a celebration of Nigeria’s unity in diversity
Egypt's nationwide demonstrations in support of President Mohamed Morsi in his showdown with the judges over Israel-Gaza power grab
Egypt's domestic divisions over a series of controversial presidential decrees continued as the nation's Judges' Club on Saturday called for a strike of all courts and prosecutors across the country.
Morsi decided on Thursday to replace Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud with Talat Ibrahim Abdullah as the new prosecutor general.
He also issued a constitutional declaration, which rules that all laws, decrees and constitutional declarations issued by the president since he came into office on June 30 are final and 'unchallengeable' by any body.
Morsi's actions, which would shield the president from judicial review until a new parliament is elected in an election expected early next year, has triggered controversies among political parties and the general public, as well as violence in the streets.
During its extraordinary general assembly on Saturday, the Judges' Club, a body representing judges across Egypt, said the decree was an "unprecedented attack" on the independence of the judiciary. The Club wants Mursi to rescind it.
That demand was echoed by prominent opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei. "There is no room for dialogue when a dictator imposes the most oppressive, abhorrent measures and then says 'let us split the difference'," he said.
Egypt's powerful Muslim Brotherhood nationwide demonstrated on Sunday in support of President Mohamed Morsi. The Brotherhood has called for a mass demonstration in Cairo on Tuesday to show support for the President.
Mc Galaxy wins Davido's N500K birthday cash prize
YouTube emperor: Gangman Style becomes the most watched Youtube video ever
South Korean rap star Psy, 34 music video "Gangnam Style" on Saturday became the most watched video on YouTube with over 800 million views, edging past Canadian teen star Justin Bieber's "Baby."
Gangnam Style was first posted to YouTube in July, and three months later "It's been a massive hit at a global level unlike anything we've ever seen before," said a YouTube blog.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Justice Delayed could be Justice Denied
Gabriel Kolawole, presiding judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Friday postponed the ruling of Nigeria's former military dictator Gen Ibrahim Babangida's $12.4b gulf war oil theft to November 29.
The judge apologized for the adjournment and many Nigerians fear justice delayed will be justice denied.
A group, the Socio-Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP), and five others sued the Attorney- General of the Federation (AGF) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the much publicised $12.4 billion oil windfall, which the country recorded between 1988 and 1992, while former military dictator, Ibrahim Babangida was in power.
The plaintiffs also asked the court to make an order compelling the CBN and the AGF to publish detailed accounts relating to the spending of the sum of money between 1988 and 1994. They also sought for an order of the court compelling the respondents to diligently and effectively bring to justice anyone suspected of corruption and mismanagement of the sum; as well as the release the official copy of a probe into the spendings by a committee set up by the government and headed by Pius Okigbo.
The Federal Government argued, among others, that it could not find an official copy of the probe report and that “only the AGF as a defender of public interest has the right to seek information on the spending of the $12.4 billion oil windfall.”
Friday, November 23, 2012
A beautiful mind: Kelvin Doe a 15year old African engineering whiz kid
15year old Kelvin Doe is an engineering whizkid living in Sierra Leone who scours the trash bins for wires and other spare parts, which he uses to build batteries, generators and transmitters. Completely self-taught, Kelvin created his own radio station where he broadcasts news and plays music under the moniker, DJ Focus.
Pope Benedict's book disputes the birth of Jesus
Pope Benedict’s book, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, was published on Tuesday. It is predicted to be a best seller, and a million copies of the book have already been printed in English.
The book will be translated into another 20 languages for publication in 72 countries.The Infancy Narratives follows the life of Jesus from conception to his presentation in the temple at the age of 12. The book stated that Jesus may have been born earlier than previously thought December 25. According to the Telegraph, the Pope explains in his book that Exiguus, who is considered the inventor of the Christian calendar, “made a mistake in his calculations by several years. The actual date of Jesus’ birth was several years before.”
Pope Benedict makes some controversial statements in the book. He writes of how the Gospel of Matthew claims that Jesus was born when Herod the Great ruled in Judea. However, given that Herod died in 4 B.C., Jesus must have been born earlier than Exiguus originally documented. Arguments surrounding Jesus’ exact date of birth have confounded scholars for centuries. Even the Gospel of Luke contends that the birth took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria in A.D. 6
.
He also reveals in the book that “there is no mention of animals in the manger that Jesus was born in.” This may come as a shock to the thousands of schools currently preparing their Nativity plays. The pontiff has said that the presence of animals such as cattle and donkeys used in traditional Nativity scenes are based on nothing more other than myth.
Thanksgiving Day Fight at Halle Berry's Home
Halle Berry's home was the scene of a fight on Thanksgiving Day involving her ex-boyfriend (and father of her daughter) Gabriel Aubry and fiance Oliver Martinez..
Late on Nov. 22, TMZ broke the story about a reported brutal battle at Berry's California home Thursday.
Sources say the fight at Halle Berry's home broke out when Aubry arrived as part of a custodial hand-off with their daughter Nahla. The next moments are somewhat of a blur as things turned very violent inside the home.
Reportedly, Oliver walked in the room where Aubry was and said something to the effect, "We have to move on."
Allegely, Aubry didn't take too kindly to the remark and threw a punch meant for Oliver's face. However, it missed and he caught one to the shoulder in return. Sources say at some point a fierce struggle took place and Aubry was pinned to the ground.
Both men suffered serious injuries in the fight. According to TMZ, French Canadian model Aubry suffered a broken rib and marks to his face while Martinez is believed to have broken his hand. Gabriel Aubry was arrested and taken to a Los Angeles hospital with fractured ribs and bruises on his face and has now been charged with one misdemeanor count of battery.
He was being held at LAPD's Metropolitan Detention Center on $20,000 bail and TMZ reports that a judge has issued an emergency protective order barring him from getting less than 100 yards from Halle, Olivier and Nahla
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Nigeria's best of ankara
UN, U.S, Canada hails Israel-Gaza truce deal
Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed to a cease-fire Wednesday to end eight days of the fiercest fighting in nearly four years.
Cheering Gazans and Palestinians emerged from their homes after a week, flooding the streets in wild celebration. Gunmen fired in the air, and chants of "God is Great" echoed from mosque loudspeakers. Residents hugged and kissed in celebration, while others distributed candy and waved Hamas flags.
The deal was brokered by the new Islamist government of Egypt, solidifying its role as a leader in the Middle East after two days of intense shuttle diplomacy that saw U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton race to the region. Under the agreement, Egypt will play a key role in maintaining the peace.
"The members of the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached in relation to the Gaza Strip in order to bring about a sustainable and durable cessation of hostilities that have been affecting the Gaza Strip and Israel," said a statement read to the press by Hardeep Singh Puri, the Indian UN ambassador who holds the rotating council presidency for November.
In a statement published by Palestine's official news agency Wafa, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he supports the agreement "to stop the bloodshed of our people and to put an end to the continuation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza."
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama thanked Morsi for his mediation efforts for the truce deal.
"The president thanked President Morsi for his efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and for his personal leadership in negotiating a ceasefire proposal," the White House said in a statement.
"Canada welcomes this ceasefire ... The Egyptian government showed leadership and responsibility as a major regional state," Foreign Minister John Baird said.
In Brussels, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the ceasefire deal, saying relevant parties must "ensure its implementation and to prevent the restart of violence."
Nude by Rihanna now available in stores
Nude by Rihanna is now available for purchase at Macy's nationwide.
"My third fragrance, Nude, is subtle but it is also substantial—it is a fragrance you will want to wear with nothing else," says the songstress. "I cannot get enough of this. I have gotten more personal with Nude," Rihanna exclaimed
The Nude collection
3.4oz Eau de Parfum Spray $59
1.7oz Eau de Parfum Spray $49
6.7oz Body Lotion $30
Africa's Top 10: The final shortlist for BBC African Footballer of the year
1. Senegal's Demba Ba
2. Morocco's Younes Belhanda
3. Ivory Coast Didier Drogba
4. Zambia's Christopher Katongo.
5.Ivory Coast Yaya Toure
Click here to Vote
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Nigerians dominate Forbes Africa's 40
Alhaji Dangote Tops Forbes richest list with a net worth of $12 billion.
Mike Adenuga of Globacom, ranks fifth, with a net worth of $4.6 billion from his telecoms and oil companies.
Jim Ovia ranks 19th, with a net worth of $825 million
Abdulsamad Rabiu, who heads the BUA Group, ranks 21st with a net worth of $675 million.
Chief (Mrs) Folorunsho Alakija, top fashion designer, ranks 24th with a net worth of $600 million
General Theophilus Danjuma, tied on 24th with a net worth of $600 million from the oil sector
Oba Otudeko, founder of Honey Well Group ranks 25th with a net worth of $575 million.
Mohammed Indimi ranks 27th with a net worth of $550 million from the oil and gas sector.
O.B. Lulu-Briggs on the 31st spot, with a net worth of $500 million from the oil sector
Sani Bello, former Nigerian military governor from Kano State ranks 37th with a net worth of $425 million.
Hakeem Belo-Osagie Harvard-trained petroleum economist, with an estimated $400 million net worth from the oil sector.
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Death Trap contract goes to Julius Berger and RCC
The Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, while announcing the termination of the contract with Bi-Courtney on Monday in Abuja, said that the job had been handed to Julius Berger Plc and RCC Nigeria Ltd.
Mrs Toyin Olaifa, from Lagos, told journalist that the initiative was commendable to alleviate sufferings of road users.
``I live at Ibafor and this road is a death trap for those who ply it.
``My husband works in Ibadan and everyday he goes to work, I have to keep praying and calling him on phone because of the risk of using this road,” Olaifa said.
Julius Berger should have been given the entire road due to its track records on roads construction. The portion given to Julius Berger is too small but we are happy as long as the two companies can ensure the speedy completion of the most important road in Nigeria's history.
Chelsea sack Roberto Di Matteo after the Italian Job
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Elmo Voice, Kevin Clash resigns
According to New York times, his statement came around the same time a new lawsuit was filed in federal court in New York accusing him of “sexual activity” with a 15-year-old. The accuser, Cecil Singleton, is now 24. The suit said that Mr. Singleton “did not become aware that he had suffered adverse psychological and emotional effects from Kevin Clash’s sexual acts and conduct until 2012.” It sought $5 million in damages.
Mr. Clash last accuser recanted his allegations last week saying they had an “adult consensual relationship.” That man has remained anonymous and has not filed a suit.
The Italian Job: Juventus leaves Chelsea hanging on a thread
Chelsea's Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after going down 3-0 to Juventus in Turin. The holders need to beat Nordsdjaelland at Stamford Bridge and hope Shakhtar Donetsk can do them a favour against Juventus otherwise they will become the first defending champions to go out at the group stages
Ogun State, Nigeria: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu installed as Aare-ago of Egbaland
Tinubu was conferred with the title of Aare-ago of Egbaland, meaning Field Marshal of Egbaland,
while his wife was installed Erelu Aare-ago.
The conferment of the chieftaincy titles was part of the activities marking the seventh coronation anniversary of Alake of Egbaland. Eminent Nigerians at the event included the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the April 2011 general election, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and former ACN presidential candidate at the same election, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Also present at the occasion were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, ACN National Chairman, Bisi Akande; Senate Minority Leader, George Akume, House of Representatives Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila; as well as former governors of Lagos and Ogun States, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Aremo Segun Osoba.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Rome: remodeled controversial statue of Pope John Paul II unveiled
A controversial statue of Pope John Paul II that some critics said looked more like Benito Mussolini, has been unveiled in its revised form at Rome's Termini Station on Monday.
Sculptor Oliviero Rainaldi expressed satisfaction with the final version of the work, which he said, matched his original vision.
The mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, hailed the changes to the statue. However, not everyone was convinced. “They've made it worse,” said Fabio Sabbatani Schiuma, a Rome city councillor. “It looks even more like Mussolini.” Others whisper ''a Pregnant Pope''
Teenager slept for 64 days and missed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year
Her mom, Vicki Delien told KDKA that Nicole sleeps 18 or 19 hours a day, and when she does wake up to eat, she is in a sleepwalking state and doesn’t recall ever doing so.
Nicole says her symptoms began in April 2002, when she was six-and-a-half years old, but wasn't officially diagnosed until years later.
From Lagos, Nigeria: The Assassination of Dr. Toyin Hamzat
Dr. Toyin Hamzat, a former Chairman of Ikeja Local Council and a former aide to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Bola Tinubu was reportedly shot in the head at Sabo, Sagamu, Ogun State, at about 9.00 p.m. on Sunday after leaving Sagamu Town Club and was heading home to Ijebu-Aiyepe, Odogbolu Local Council.
The killers, it was learnt, blocked his car with an Ogun painted taxi, emerged, shot him point blank and reportedly left the scene without taking his car or any possession.
Fashola who was at Ijebu-Aiyepe Monday to condole with Hamzat’s family, described his death as a personal loss to him, Lagos State and the entire Southwest family of the Action Congress of Nigeria.
Tinubu described Hamzat as an illustrious and a progressively minded politician.
He said: “Hamzat’s death like many that occur daily in similar circumstances must serve to reawaken the nation’s leaders and security agencies to be more alive to the challenges of security of lives and properties.”
Hamzat was a Fellow of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
Ogun State Police spokesman ASP Muyiwa Adejobi said: “It was a case of assassination. Nothing was taken away from him. Five suspects have been arrested and in custody at the state police headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.”
One of the taxis reportedly impounded has been identified as the one used during the operation.
A police source also confirmed the arrest of a man who allegedly fired the shot that killed Hamzat.
Daniel Craig is highest paid James Bond
Obama's historical visit: Asia Pivot
In a speech at the University of Rangoon, Obama referred to a pledge he made at his presidential inauguration in 2009 to "extend a hand" to governments that ruled by fear if they are ready to "unclench their fist."
He reviewed a long history of U.S. - Burma relations, saying he came because of America's belief in human dignity. He said a dramatic transition is under way in Burma.
"Over the past year, A dictatorship of five decades has loosened its grip. Under President Thein Sein, the desire for change has been met by an agenda for reform," said Obama. "A civilian now leads the government, and a parliament is asserting itself."
“This remarkable journey has just begun, and has much further to go," he said. "Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation. The flickers of progress that we have seen must not be extinguished, they must be strengthened, they must become a shining North Star for all this nation’s people."
Mr Obama is using the visit to try strike a balance between praising the Burmese government's progress in shaking off military rule and pressing for more reform.
"But we think a process of democratic and economic reform here in Myanmar that has been begun by the president is one that can lead to incredible development opportunities," he said, using the country name preferred by the government and former junta, rather than Burma, normally used in Australia and the US.
Tens of thousands of well-wishers, including children waving tiny American and Burmese flags, lined Mr Obama's route to the old parliament in the former capital, Rangoon.
Some held signs saying "We love Obama".
The so-called Asia pivot is also meant to counter China's rising influence. The US president's next stop is Cambodia for the East Asian Summit.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
It All Ends: Rowan 'Mr Bean' Atkinson
Mr. Bean made his most recent appearance at the Opening Ceremony of London's Olympic Games over the summer, but Atkinson, now wants to concentrate on more serious acting roles.
He tells British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, "The stuff that has been most commercially successful for me - basically quite physical, quite childish - I increasingly feel I'm going to do a lot less of. Apart from the fact that your physical ability starts to decline, I also think someone in their 50s being childlike becomes a little sad. You've got to be careful."
Self immolation toll reaches 76 in Tibet
The Central Tibetan Administration reiterated its serious concern over the escalating crisis in Tibet, as more Tibetan self-immolated on Saturday taking the total self-immolation to 76, of which 62 died
The rise in cases of self-immolations is being interpreted as an attempt by ethnic Tibetans to focus attention on what they perceive as Beijing's Communist Party of China (CPC) rule.
The US government on Friday reiterated its concern over the worsening human rights situation in Tibet, and urged the underlying causes of the self-immolations in Tibet.
"We regularly raise our concern about the Tibetan self-immolations with Chinese authorities. We encourage China to work with authorities in Tibet to address the grievances of the people and to protect the cultural diversity of their country. So this is obviously – and to address the worsening human rights situation in Tibet – we will continue to do that," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said on Friday.
"We've been clear for decades about our commitment to human rights in Tibet, that we want to see China address the underlying problems there, the threats to the distinctive culture and linguistic identity of the Tibetan people, and our grave concern about the fact that people would feel so desperate as to resort to self-immolation," she said.
"The Chinese leadership must heed the urgent call of the international community, especially the UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay's strong appeal, to promptly address the longstanding grievances of Tibetans," said Kalon Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information & International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration.