Omotola Brings her Family To Last Flight to Abuja Premier In Lagos

Star actress Omotola, hardly makes public appearances with family. However at the Premier of Last Flight To Abuja last Friday, Omotola graced the occasion with her husband and two lovely daughters. She made a beautiful spectacle and we capture it here for our esteemed readers.

Omotola and Hubby

Nigeria's Hopes For an Olympic Medal Further Fades as Chukwumerije Crashes Out

Hopes for a last-minute medal for Nigeria became dimmer on Saturday as one of its top athletes, Uche Chukwumerije, lost out in the Taekwondo event on Saturday at the London 2012 Olympics.
Chukwumerije, who won bronze at the last Olympics in Beijing, was defeated by just a single point Cuban Robelis Despaigne in the Men’s +80 kg category.
He lost the point with just 23 seconds to go in the final third round.
Chukwumerije stands a chance to have a shot at the bronze medal fight, only if Despaigne wins his next game and advances to the finals.
Meanwhile, in the 84kg Wrestling freestyle competition, Nigeria’s Andrew Adibo Dick was defeated by JY Espinal.
Dick trailed by as much 7-0 in the first round,and was no match for his opponent who eliminated him in the second round.
Next medal hope will be on Nigeria’s 4×400 metres women’s relay team, who takes to the tracks later today.

EDO ELECTION: Missing Body of INEC Official Found

The corpse of an ad hoc employee of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Ekhator Iziegbe, who drowned during the July 14, 2012 Edo State governorship election, has been found. NEC’s Public Relations Officer in Edo State, Mrs, Sule Imondu, stated this on Saturday in Benin.

Imondu told the News Agency of Nigeria in Benin that the body was found in Kolokolo village in the state.
NAN reports that the accident, which claimed the lives of three policemen and the INEC ad hoc employee, took place in Ologbo River in Edo.

She said, “The family of the deceased just called me to inform the commission that his body has been found in Kolokolo village.

“The family said the body had decomposed and could not be taken to his village; hence he has been buried in Kolokolo.”
Imondu said INEC had been involved in the search for the body since July 14, adding, “So, we sympathise with the family and pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Until his death, Iziegbe was a student of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State.

Spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, Mr. Anthony Airohuoyo, also confirmed the recovery of Iziegbe’s body at Kolokolo village.

INTERVIEW: I'm Not Done With Goldie - Prezzo

 With all the betrayal saga in the the house many believe that the Kenyan Big Brother Housemate was just using Nigeria's Goldie and never had any feelings for her. But in this interview, Prezzo reveals his true intentions for Goldie and other exclusive details of the affair with Goldie in the BBA House, his family, future plans for Goldie and more.

Congratulations and welcome back
Thank you and I want to thank all those who voted and represented Kenya to the fullest.

Okay, you are very close to your mother, what is she saying now?

She is proud of me as ever.

Even with the fights you had with DKB and Barbz?
She knows I am a human being and sometimes we get to disagree with people. But the most important thing is how we deal and solve the issues later.

So you don’t feel like you disappointed her in anyway?I was with God throughout my stay in the house so it was hard for me to disappoint her. She has always been my number one supporter. We talked about the show before I actually got in and so my conscience was clear on what I was doing in the house.

You kept on talking about your daughter while in the house. Why was that?She is beautiful and she kept me going. Every time I looked at her picture, I just got this strength to go on with the show to the end. The housemates kept on reminding me how beautiful she is.

You fell in love with Goldie while in the house. What of your marriage?
I’ve been married but I’m currently going through a separation. My daughter and mum are the world to me.

Goldie said she still cared about you immediately she left the house. Do you feel the same way?
Yes. I’m not done with Goldie, she is a great person with a great heart. We are definitely going to do a song together and see what happens next. So expect to see Goldie in Kenya soon.

Who was your biggest competition?
Lady May from Namibia. She was behaving like a tortoise, hiding in the shell and keeping in her own space. She never let people know her true self and that was very dangerous.

How did you feel being left with Lady May and Keagan in the top three?
I knew Keagan was going out next and the money was either going to Namibia or home. But I was very shocked when Lady May left next. I knew I was stronger that Keagan, so for a moment, I thought I had won.

And how do you feel not winning the money?
The cash in the pocket is quite something but I’m glad I represented my country well. Sometimes you have to look beyond the cash and fight for your country.

153 people Die as Earthquake Rocks Iran

Two strong earthquakes struck northwest Iran on Saturday, killing 153 people and injuring more than 1,300 as buildings were reduced to rubble, Iranian officials said.

Thousands fled their homes and remained outdoors as at least 20 aftershocks hit the area.

Casualty numbers could well rise, Iranian officials feared, as some of the injured are in a critical condition, others are still trapped under the rubble and rescuers have yet to reach some of the affected villages.

Iran is straddled by major fault lines and has suffered several devastating earthquakes in recent years, including a 6.6 magnitude quake in 2003 which turned the southeastern historic city of Bam into dust and killed more than 25,000 people.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Saturday's first quake at 6.4 magnitude and said it struck 60 km (37 miles) northeast of the city of Tabriz at a depth of 9.9 km (6.2 miles). A second quake measuring 6.3 struck 49 km (30 miles) northeast of Tabriz 11 minutes later at a similar depth.

Deputy Interior Minister Hassan Ghadami said 153 people had been killed and provincial official Khalil Sa'ie said some 1,300 had been injured, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The second quake struck near the town of Varzaghan. "The quake was so intense that people poured into the streets through fear," Fars news agency said of the town.

About 210 people in Varzaghan and Ahar have been rescued from under the rubble of collapsed buildings, the official IRNA news agency said, quoting a local official.

"So far 73 bodies from Varzaghan and Ahar have been handed over to the coroner's office," IRNA quoted Bahram Samadirad, a provincial official from the office, as saying.

He added, "Since some people are in a critical condition and rescue workers are still trying to rescue people from under the rubble, unfortunately it is possible for the number of casualties to rise."

Photographs posted by Iranian news websites showed about a dozen bodies lying on the floor in the corner of a white-tiled morgue in Ahar, and medical staff, surrounded by anxious residents, working on the injured in the open air as dusk fell.

"I was just on the phone talking to my mother when she said 'there's just been an earthquake', then the line was cut," one woman from Tabriz, who lives outside Iran, wrote on Facebook after telephoning her mother in the city.

"God, what has happened? After that I couldn't get through. God has also given me a slap, and it was very hard."

Tabriz is a major city and trading hub far from Iran's oil producing areas and known nuclear facilities. Buildings in the city are substantially built, and the Iranian Students' News Agency said nobody in the city itself had been killed or hurt.

Homes and businesses in Iranian villages, however, are often made of concrete blocks or mud brick that can crumble and collapse in a strong quake.

Fars quoted lawmaker Abbas Falahi as saying he believed rescue workers had not yet been able to reach between 10 and 20 villages.

A local provincial official urged people in the region to stay outdoors during the night for fear of aftershocks, according to IRNA. Falahi said people in the region were in need of bread, tents and drinking water.

The Turkish Red Crescent said it was sending a truck full of emergency supplies to the border, an official said.

BOKO HARAM: JTF discovers Bomb factory in Kano

The Joint Task Force in Kano state North West Nigeria has discovered a bomb factory at an isolated part of Tamburawa Bridge –an outskirt of Kano city. Three people suspected to be terrorists were arrested during the early morning raid by JTF in the area today.

Speaking to newsmen, the Director State Security Services in Kano Bassey Eteng said that a pre-emptive raid was carried out this morning at about 6am by the JTF and the operation was successful.

According to the director, most of the items recovered at the factory were likely to be used by the terrorists to launch an attack on Salah day but the intelligence report that was at the disposal of the security agency truncated the anticipated attacks.

Items recovered includes eight AK47 magazine, one SMG magazine, one SMG rifle, twelve primed IED, nine un primed IED, high calibre IED, assorted army uniform, chemicals used to make the bomb and six hundred and thirteen rounds of ammunition.

Meanwhile the director says there was no casualty of either party during the operations while stressing investigation will continue to uncover the hide out of any suspected terrorist across the state.

Bolt leads Jamaica to 4 X 100 Glory in Record time!

Usain Bolt does his best impression of Mo Farah after leading Jamaica to men's 4x100m relay immortality. PHOTO GETTY IMAGES

Usain Bolt Saturday night anchored Jamaica to gold alongside Yohan Blake and others.
The race was very sensational. USA were in front of Jamaica at the halfway mark, but Yohan Blake produced a stunning leg to get Usain Bolt level with USA's Ryan Bailey on the last leg and there was only going to be one winner there. The record time was 36.85 seconds. Almost unbelieveable.
USA actually equalled the old world record in winning a silver medal, but that might not be much consolation. Canada took the bronze. Usain Bolt has now won six Olympic gold medals at two Olympic Games and he has written his name into the record books once more.

Naked photo of Facebook Owner M. Zuckerberg leaks.

A photo of a topless Mark Zuckerberg is burning up the Internet right now … immediately fueling suspicions of a major Facebook privacy glitch.

It’s unclear when or where the pic was taken … showing the kid billionaire sans shirt with a couple of male friends. Mark’s in pretty good shape for a computer nerd, celebrity website, tmz.com, reports.

Now for the conspiracy theory … The image surfaced on the image-sharing site, imgur, … along with a photo caption that appears to explain how the anonymous poster got a hold of the shot in the first place.

The poster claims the pic was “accidentally posted” by Facebook Director of Engineering Andrew Bosworth, who also appears in the picture on the far right.

The poster claims Bosworth deleted the pic “seconds later” … but it was too late, someone captured the image and splashed it to the web.

If so, it would be another black eye for the social network … which is still trying to recover from its epically poor performance on the stock market. When contacted, facebook declined comment on the story calling it a "silly story."

Mystry Illness Causes Woman to grow Nails Instead of Hair

A young woman has been labelled a medical mystery after falling victim to an unidentified illness which causes human nails to grow out of her hair follicles.

Shanyna Isom, 28, suffered an allergic reaction three years ago which caused the debilitating syndrome which has left her struggling to walk and carry out daily chores.

The university student was left covered in hard scabs as ‘nails’ replaced the hair on her body and doctors are still in the dark about how to cure Shanyna’s mysterious illness.

Shanyna Isom lives with her family in Memphis and was in her first year at university when the nightmare began.

In September 2009 she was prescribed steroids after suffering an asthma attack and within hours the law student was ‘itching’ all over her body.

Soon black bumps covered her legs and doctors treated her for everything from eczema to Staphylococcal infection to no avail.

Shanyna became bedridden as the illness took over and doctors tried to determine what was wrong.

In 2011 she began treatment in Baltimore where doctors established that the bumps were in fact human nails slowly covering Shanyna’s body.

She produces 12 times the normal number of skin cells per hair follicle, suffocating her skin.

‘Where hair grows, nails are growing,’ Shanyna told WAFB news.

Today doctors have yet to diagnose her but have been able to control her symptoms.

‘I couldn’t sit up and I couldn’t walk, but now I can walk with a cane and sometimes I can walk on my own.’

The criminal justice major describes it as a nightmare she is trying to wake up from.

‘They’ve tested me from A to Z and everything was coming back negative.

‘ Right now, I am the only one in the world with my illness.’

The illness has left Shanyna and her family deep in debt as state-issued insurance does not cover her care at the specialist unit she attends in Baltimore and only covers five of the 17 medications she is prescribed.

The family savings accounts are dry and her outstanding medical bills are currently up to £160,000 ($250,000).

Shanyna has set up the S.A.I Foundation to raise money for her treatment but fears she may not be able to continue.

She relies on family and friends for financial help and they have rallied around her for support.

‘At this point I just do everything I can to get the help that’s needed for her,’ her friend Tolungia Webb said.

Shanyna hopes that the foundation will be able to raise enough money to cover her medical bills and help others in the same situation.

She said: ‘If it means me dealing with this to help someone else, I’m willing to go through it.’

Nigeria has qualified for the final of the 4x400m Women Relay at the London Olympic Games.

Nigeria's Representatives

Nigeria has qualified for the final of the 4x400m Women Relay at the London Olympic Games.

Nigeria’s quartet of Omolara Omotosho, Idara Otu, Bukola Abogunloko and Regina George posted a season best of 3 minutes 26 seconds to place fourth in the race.

Jamaica’s team of Christine day, Shereefa Lloyd, Shericka Williams and Rosemarie Whyte won the race in a season best of 3 minutes 25 seconds.

Hope for 4x100m finals

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s sprinter Damola Osayomi has admitted that there has been a lot tension as a result of Team Nigeria’s performance at the on-going Olympic games.

Osayomi however promised that Team Nigeria will do it’s best to win a medal in final of the women’s 4×100 metres later today.

She was part women’s 4×100 quartet that included Christy Udoh, Gloria Asumnu and Blessing Okagbare which qualified for the final after running a season best of 42.74 seconds, coming fifth in round one of the event.

After the top three teams in each round were picked, the next two fastest teams were chosen to make the final eight with the luck falling on Nigeria and Brazil.

Poor preparations

Notwithstanding, the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has stated that poor preparations has marred the country’s chances at the London Olympics.

Abdullahi who admitted that Nigeria had relied on luck for a long time, said the dismal performance of the country’s athletes at the games should serve as opportunity to rebuild.

The Minister also urged everyone involved in sports administration to find a way forward after such disappointing outing.

He however, praised Team Nigeria athletes for putting up a brave showing at the Olympics while pleading for understanding and encouragement from Nigerians.

Construction of 2nd Niger Bridge to Start Next Year

Minister of  Works

Work on the second bridge across the River Niger at Onitsha will begin in the first quarter of next year, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen has said.

The minister stated this at the inspection of the rehabilitation work at the third mainland bridge in Lagos, Friday.

Also to begin in the first quarter of next year, are the construction of the second Niger Bridge at Onitsha and the reconstruction of the International Airport Road in Lagos into an eight-lane carriageway.

On the rehabilitation of the third mainland bridge, Onolememen said the pace of work was currently a week ahead of schedule, adding that it was possible to complete the bridge’s rehabilitation before the proposed due date of November 5 this year.

“The deadline we have given to Lagosians on completion of the maintenance work on the third mainland bridge will not change but rather we will work hard to see if we can get some mileage of say a couple of weeks. I thank you Lagosians for your patience and perseverance.”

On the second Niger Bridge, Onolememen said: “The Federal Government’s intention is for real and, that a decision reached was that the counterpart funding for the bridge has to come from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.

"When the SURE programme was put together, the second Niger Bridge featured prominently and one of the decisions at the time was that the counterpart funding of the second Niger Bridge will have to come from the SURE programme.

"That is why if you look at the SURE key programmes, over N20 billion was budgeted for the second Niger Bridge. That represents the federal government’s 30 percent counterpart funding of this particular project.”

During this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting a consultancy advisory committee was inaugurated.

“We are determined to do the ground-breaking ceremony of the second Niger Bridge in the first quarter of next year,” he said.

He said many international consortiums have expressed interest in the concession of the second Niger Bridge.

“As a matter of fact, these are people who are very vast in the issue of concession and are big names from Germany, Australia, France, Italy and many European countries.”

Onolememen said the procurement of the contract of the bridge was not well done in the past but that there was a transparent system in place now to ensure that every procurement process was done the proper way.

“We now follow some set of rules and standards in our local and international procurement.”

Discussing the federal government’s involvement in the proposed fourth mainland bridge, Onolememen said, “many people are not aware that the Federal Ministry of Works conceived and designed what is called the second Lagos outer ring road which first section will take off from Apapa and Tin Can Island area through Sango-Abeokuta and empty into the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

"The reason for this project is to permanently decongest the nagging traffic problem on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and, to provide a good alternative, particularly for trucks leaving the Ports and heading to other parts of Nigeria without constituting a nuisance to Lagos residents.”

He added: “The second section of that outer ring road will take off from Lekki to Ogolonto in Ikorodu on the alignment of the proposed fourth mainland bridge and, only recently the Chinese firm developing the Lekki Deep Sea harbor sent a proposal to the Federal Government’s Economic Management Intervention Team, of which I am a member, requesting support for an access road that will link the Lekki Free Trade Zone and also that of the proposed Deep Sea Harbour in Lekki.

"When we reviewed the proposal, the issue of the fourth mainland bridge cameup and it was resolved that the project must include the fourth mainland bridge that will link Lekki with Ikorodu.”

Onolememen said the federal government has terminated a contract for the reconstruction of the Ikorodu-Sagamu road it awarded to Impresit Bakolori for non-performance.

“In the last three years since the contract was awarded, the contractor has not been able to conform to the agreement terms signed with the Federal Ministry of Works to complete its obligation in this particular project. Consequently, we have decided that this contract be terminated and, we have taken a decision at the Federal Ministry of Works to determine the contract. This road is one of the top priority roads that the Federal Ministry of Works will be executing in 2013 fiscal year starting from January.”

He also undertook a survey of the Ikorodu-Sagamu road and said, “if that comes on board, it will provide another access road to Lagos. It is still very topical on the table of the federal government and, we think the best way to drive it is through public, private partnership as is being done in the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Lekki Deep Sea Harbour.”

Onolememen said the Federal Ministry of Works under his watch inherited a portfolio of about 168 projects requiring about N1 trillion to complete. He said on account of the global economic downturn, there was the need to priortise the completion of these projects to first of all include the projects that are crucial to the nation’s economy.

“We have targeted all the roads leading to the sea ports, refineries, the major arterial roads and major dual carriageways. These priority projects are; the Abuja-Abaji-Okene dual carriageway; the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway; Benin-Ore-Sagamu dual carriageway; the Lagos-Ibadan expressway; the section II of the Ibadan-Ilorin expressway; Kano-Maiduguri expressway and the second Niger Bridge.”

BOKO HARAM: Church Attendance and Finance Drops

The Kaduna Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) said on Friday that worshippers’ attendance in its churches has dropped by 30 per cent. The Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev. Josiah Fearon, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the First Session of the 19th Synod in Kaduna, attributed the poor attendance of faithful to the current national security challenge.

  Fearon said the drop in church attendance had also contributed to a 60 per cent drop in financial support to the church through the offering of tithes and the Church fund raising for the development of projects. 

He attributed the decline in fortunes to the spate of attacks on Christians during church services.  “A significant number of our members prefer to stay within the safety of their homes rather than go to church and be bombed to death”. 

The clergy man said that the security challenge had adversely affected the entire North-East region economically, socially and politically.  Fearon flayed the incessant killings in some part of the Northern states, in spite of pleas from religious leaders, individuals and national and international organisations. 

He urged the Federal Government to urgently assist the northern state governments to implement the recommendations of the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu Panel aimed at restoring peace.  The Bishop said the panel had recommended that some form of financial assistance be given to all victims of the April general elections violence.  “This would enable them start all over again, even if on a small scale, it would convince Nigerians that this government is interested in their well-being.”

Fearon decried the indiscriminate display of wealth amidst hunger and recklessness in the spending of money meant for development projects and cautioned that “all these happenings in the face of poverty must stop.” 

He also advised political leaders to embrace discipline so as to encourage youths to be useful citizens.  The cleric admonished governors to search their consciences and begin to work for the well being of the electorate.  “Unless there is a definite attitudinal change on the side of our political leaders and politicians, they may not be able to control the present security challenge in the country.”

We Would Have Won Big Brother - Ola and Chris

During their brief participation in the 2012 edition of Big Brother competition, the duo of Olamilekan Bakare and Chris Asekomeh, made quite an impression with their witty nature, thereby heightening Nigeria’s hopes of winning the whopping $300,000, (about N46.8m at official rate) prize money.

Although they had to voluntarily leave the competition owing to Ola’s health challenge, after developing high blood pressure in the house, they chorused that they were confident they would have emerged winners.

“We were obviously the favourite among the housemates while in the house. In fact, we were shocked when they said we were a very strong team. Just one week in the house, they (other housemates) already accepted defeat. We would have won Big Brother if we stayed longer because we had all it takes to win,” they said.

On how they adjusted to life in front of cameras, Chris says, “it was clumsy as first. When we first got into the house, I noticed that when we talk deep, the camera moves. I was like, ‘which kain thing be this’, luckily, I got used to it by the second day as I did not care any longer or think about the cameras in front of me.”

For the Big Brother faithful, Keagan’s victory on Sunday did not come as a surprise. When placed alongside other finalists, Prezzo (Kenya), Lady May (Namibia), Talia (Zambia), Kyle (Uganda) and Wati (Malawi), they opined that with home advantage, the odds appeared to be in favour of the 22-year-old intern manager.

Ola and Chris also shared this view “Keagan’s victory was well deserved. During our time in the house, we noticed that he had a very strong personality contrary to what some people will think,” says Ola.

Chris on the other hand, said he (keagan) is a free person who cared less what others think of him. “I remember one of our talks when he disclosed that he got married at 19 and walked out of the marriage shortly after. We were stunned. And then when we asked him where his wife was, he said he did not know her whereabouts. I mean that should give you a clearer picture of his kind of person. “When he was announced winner, you will recall his expression. He deserved to win.”

From inception, the choice of Goldie as one of Nigeria’s representatives at the competition generated mixed reactions. Her rating seemingly dropped when she became romantically involved with Prezzo and was evicted after spending 70 days in the house.

“Goldie was strong enough to win. She had all the Nigerian swag but forgot the fact that she went to play a game too soon. She did not realise that it is only a game and that is why it is difficult to get attached to a person too soon. Not that it was bad for her to have fallen in love with Prezzo, but it was just a competition. That was why we decided not to get attached to anyone in the house so I don’t get caught up with the whole love triangle,” says Chris.

Since leaving the house, the duo who have been friends for 12 years, noted that they had put behind them the rumours that they were paid to leave the house. For now, they say all that mattered to them was to maximize their new-found fame.

“We are working on starting an entertainment based reality show, running an NGO that will focus on the dangers of high blood pressure, especially among young people.”

Kidnap of Judge: Lawyers Protest in Asaba

Lawyers in Asaba on Friday took to the streets in protest against Monday’s kidnap of a judge of the state’s High Court, disrupting courts’ proceedings in the process.

The lawyers, under the auspices of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and numbering more than 40, barricaded Magistrates Courts premises on Ibusa Road, at 8.30 a.m.

They also barred court workers and magistrates from entering the court halls.

The judge, Justice Marcel Okoh, was allegedly abducted by a gang of armed men at Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta on his way to Warri also in Delta.

A Chief Magistrate, Mr Sylvester Ehikwe, and some workers, who were already in their offices were forced to abandon their duties by the protesting lawyers.

The lawyers said that there would be no court sittings in the state till the judge was released.

Twenty-four detainees brought to the court by prisons officials for their various cases were also turned back by the protesting lawyers.

Mr Lawrence Egodike, one of the protesters, said  that the state branch of NBA had resolved that none of its members would appear in any court untill Okoh was released.

Egodike also said that the courts would not be allowed to sit, and called on the state government and security agencies to ensure that the victim was alive and promptly released.

He also implored the authorities to fish the kidnappers of the judge, regretting that the rate of abduction in the state was rising at an alarming rate.

Neither the Commissioner of Police in the state nor the Command’s spokesman could be reached for update on the judge’s fate.

Man Tricks Woman To Take Over her Property

A 34-year old man, Chidi David Sunday, has been arraigned before Apapa Magistrate’s court, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, for allegedly tricking a woman, Ngozi Okoro,  that he would marry her in order to take over her property.
He offered her marriage and they started living together as husband and wife at 8, Ogun Street, Kuje, Amuwo, Lagos.
Sunday reportedly took her property documents, forged them and changed her name to his own name and collected all her money.
Some of her properties include her landed property, her Volkswagen bus with registration number, XT 768 SMK and N1.1 million. among others.
He then dumped her and started dating another woman.
Ngozi later discovered and went to Satellite Police Station and reported the matter.
Sunday was arrested and charged to court.  He is now facing a two count charge of fraud and stealing under sections 318 and 285 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.
He pleaded not guilty and the presiding Magistrate, Mr H O A Amos granted him bail in the sum of N250, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The matter was adjourned till 3 October, 2012.
Sunday was however remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri pending when he will meet his bail conditio

Residents flee as Soldiers and Policemen Invade Okene

Human and vehicular movements were light in Okene, Kogi State on Thursday as an uneasy calm pervaded the town where gunmen killed 19 worshippers at the Deeper Life Bible Church at the Eikha-Adagu area on Monday.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Mohammed Katsina, said on Wednesday that four persons had been arrested in connection with the killings.

Travellers, who normally spent some 30 or more minutes to navigate the traffic in the town, spent only about five minutes on Thursday.

Soldiers and policemen mounted two checkpoints where they searched vehicles and their passengers.

They also conducted a house-to-house search for weapons allegedly stolen from two soldiers who were killed in a separate attack by gunmen on Tuesday. Two civilians also died in the incident.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the action of the security agents caught residents unawares and some started fleeing to neighbouring towns in Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states.

Security : Clinton cancels schedules In Nigeria and Jets off to Ghana

Clinton with Jonathan

THE heightening of security in Abuja on Thursday notwithstanding, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, shelved many of the activities scheduled for her and left Nigeria for Ghana.

She later held a meeting with the Ghanaian President, Mr. John Mahama, at his residence in Accra. She is billed to participate in the state funeral for the late President John Attah Mill.

Clinton, on the last lap of her nine-nation African tour, departed the country shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Security Council, but she shelved scheduled meeting, with civil society groups and anti-corruption campaigners billed for the US Ambassador’s residence in Abuja.

The US Secretary of State also shelved the traditional ‘Meet and Greet’ with US Embassy staff.

At the closed-door session with members of the National Security Council were the Minister of State, Defence, Chief Olusola Obada; National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, Air-Mashal Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar.

The Federal Government had deployed security agents in many parts of the Federal Capital City, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Umaru Yar’Adua Way, which were manned by soldiers and policemen as part of the security measures for Clinton’s visit.

Security agents were also at the Federal Secretariat and the Central Business District.

Also, roads leading to the Presidential Villa and the Federal Secretariat and the Central Business District were manned by armed security agents.

Foreign media reports on Thursday however indicated that Clinton would not pass the night in Nigeria because of security fears.

“The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated to the point where the movement of US Embassy workers is often restricted. Clinton will spend only five hours on the ground and will not spend the night in Abuja, where the hotel traditionally used by visiting dignitaries has been the target of terrorist threats,” the Associated Press reported on Thursday.

Before she left the country, however, the US Secretary of State had encouraged Jonathan to take tough decisions necessary to change the fortunes of the country and that the US would support him.

She told the President, “We were also very supportive of anti-corruption reform efforts, more transparency in the work that you and your team are also championing because we really believe that the future for Nigeria is limitless but the most important task that you face, as you have said, is making sure that there are better opportunities for all Nigerians, South, East, West, every young boy and girl to have chance to fulfil his God-given potential.

“We want to work with you and we will be by your side as you make the reforms and take the tough decisions that are necessary.”

Peter Okoye of P Square's Girlfriend is Pregnant Again!

Peter Okoye with Son

Peter Okoye and His girlfriend Lola Omotayo have officially announced they are expecting their second, baby. The P Sqaure Artist have been denying speculations about the pregnancy for a while but finally confirmed it in an official statement on twitter.
It will be recalled that in 2008, Lola Omotayo got pregnant for Peter Okoye and they had their first son.
Commenting on the issue of marriage then, Lola said

Lola

"There is so much that completes a woman and marriage is not it.I've never focused on that.I'm not afraid to be alone. I pray, I am not going to end up alone for the rest of my life,I want a life partner.But the tag,marriage is not something I think is the ultimate.I would take my time rather than rush into marriage only top later discover that it is not what to expect. And Peter as well is dealing with his won career and he wants to focus on that and you know,maybe in a year's time,I'd be ready to get married and if he's not,then we may get to go our seperate ways.The truth of the matter is that marriage is not in the picture for me now"

It appears not much has changed now. We congratulate the couple for this achievement, though.

Man in Police Net After Embezzling N50 Million from his Company

The Police Headquarters Annex, Lagos, on Monday, summoned a former Managing Director, Quintiessentially Nigeria, Okon Iyanam, for allegedly embezzling N50m belonging to the firm.

Greenwich News learnt that the company headed by Mr. Festus Odimegwu, had written a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, shortly after Iyanam resigned from the organisation.

In the petition made available to our correspondent, the company alleged that it was during a recent account audit that the money was discovered to be missing.

It also alleged that Iyanam visited its London headquarters and tarnished its image in order to get its franchise.

It read, “Iyanam in his capacity as Group Managing Director, Quintissentially Nigeria, conspired with some employees to steal through various dubious means in excess of N50m.

“Iyanam in his capacity as GMD of the company, visited the London Headquarters (the parent company) under false pretences and lied to Quintissentially Worldwide and damaged the relationship between the two companies and concluded plans to appropriate the franchise which Q Nigeria invested heavily to build.”

Iyanam however denied the accusations, calling it a smear campaign.

His lawyer, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who briefed journalists at the Force HQ annex, said a huge sum of money was left in the account of the company as of the time Iyanam resigned.

He said the company embarked on smear campaign when it realised that it was about to lose its franchise.

He said, “My client has done nothing wrong and he will be exonerated by the outcome of the investigations. He recently resigned and was even commended by the chairman of the company.

“He left N40m in the company’s account when he left and there was no problem. It’s because the company is about to lose the franchise and the company suspects that Iyanam will be given the licence that is why it’s persecuting him.”

Jonathan thanks Hilary Clinton, Expresses Satisfaction With US - Nigeria Relations

Jonathan and Clinton yesterday

President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his gratitude to the American Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Clinton for her effort in raising the relationship between Nigeria and the United States to an enviable standard.
The president made this known while speaking, Thursday evening, in his office after holding talks with Mrs Clinton while on a working visit to Nigeria.

The meeting which centred on discussions about the nation’s security challenge and economy, lasted for about two and a half hours.

President Jonathan told the American envoy that the Obama’s administration has been passionate about issues concerning Nigeria, especially when the nation faced a number of challenges.

He cited instances such as the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, as well as during the 2011 presidential elections.

President Jonathan urged the US to continue to support Africa in its quest to develop.

On her part Mrs Clinton made it clear that the United States is committed to the partnership with Nigeria and that it will continue to work with Nigeria in the diversification of the economy and the reform efforts of the Jonathan administration.

According to her, the future for Nigeria is limitless as long as all Nigerians are given a chance to fulfil their potentials

When Bolt turned to a Photographer. Exclusive stories behind the photo shoot and the image he shot right here!

Photographer Jimmy Wixtröm lent his camera - for the third time yesterday after
Usain Bolt crossed the finish line as Olympic victor in the 200 meters.
Since the celebrated superstar to take the gold images Sportbladets camera - again.
"If you take good pictures yourself, you get to give away the camera", says photographer Jimmy Wixtröm who lent his camera to Bolt - for the third time.
" It's just fun", says Usain Bolt.
When Usain Bolt took the world championship gold medals in the 200 meters in Daegu, he borrowed a Journalist's camera and shot the golden moment.

Bolt with the camera the photographer watching with glee and the Image he shot

After the Olympic final of 200 meters Bolt did it again. Bolt ran to Sportbladets photographer Jimmy Wixtröm, took the camera and shot away.
 " I have been on him for several days and nagging that we need to take a picture before. Yesterday, he promised me that I would take a picture after the race. So I figured  where I knew he would come and screamed loudly. Scream out loud so he will notice. I even had the same hat at me like I had all week so he would not fail to recognize me," says Wixtröm.

When asked about the rumor that Usain Bolt called the photographer a stalker, he replied.
" Haha, that's right actually. He said it yesterday, but it was with a wink and a smile. He is never angry and I am quite calm and collected. They in fact wanted me to take pictures so I do not think so."

Photographer Jimmy Wixtröm 

Do you think he knows he photographed with your camera before?
" Yes, I'm totally convinced. This was the third time. First time in Daegu and in Rome, he took pictures of himself during a workout. So I know he recognizes me."
How is Bolt as a photographer?
" As a photographer, he is pretty good then. I sit and watch the pictures now. He is charming and took several pictures of Blake when he joked. It will be good."
When Sportbladet asked the world's fastest man on interest in photography he laughed heartedly, pointing to Jimmy Wixtröm, and said:
"I did it last year and he has stressed me now for three days ..."
"Is always a good idea"
Bolt says that it is Wixtröms perseverance that paid off. The day before the finale, he called Wixtröm, with a twinkle in his eye and a stalker.
"Every time he sees me he says' Usain, take a picture, Usain, take a picture." So I made a promise."
It appears this will not be the last time the world fastest man will borrow a photographers Camera. According to him, " It's just fun. It's something I enjoy doing and the audience loves it. And there is always a good idea."

Lakhdar Brahimi to Replace Kofi Annan In Syria

Brahimi

Former Algerian foreign minister Lakhdar Brahimi is to be named as the new United Nations and Arab League peace envoy to Syria in place of Kofi Annan, diplomats said Thursday.

An official announcement of the appointment of the 78-year-old Brahimi is expected to be made early next week, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations over the appointment are continuing.

Nigeria's Sports Minister Laments over Poor Olympic Outing

L-r, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, President, NOC, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, Minister of Sports and Chairman, NSC and Dr. Patrick Ekeji, Director General, NSC at a press briefing addressed by the minister on the performance of team Nigeria so far in London. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has described Team Nigeria’s predicament in the on-going London 2012 Olympics without a medal as a clear testimony to how far Nigerian sports have fallen behind.

The Minister who addressed hordes of Journalists at the Nigerian House in Stratford alongside NOC President, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa, Chef De Mission of Team Nigeria Dr Patrick Ekeji and NOC Scribe, Tunde Popoola while admitting his disappointment noted that it was a scientific diagnosis of our condition; a clear testimony to how far our sports have fallen.
‘’We shall therefore not attempt any excuses or indulge in any unproductive blame game. Rather than see this as a failure, we must see it as an opportunity to rebuild. When other countries found themselves in this kind of situation in the past, they have used the galvanizing power of disappointment to get down to work. At Atlanta 1996 Olympics, Team Great Britain won only one gold medal.

Returning home, the right questions were asked, and the necessary actions were taken. Four years later in Sydney, they returned with 11 gold out of 28 medals. In Beijing four years ago, they returned with 19 gold medals out of 47, placing them in the fourth position.

Today, they are able to look back and say they have moved from ‘zeroes to heroes’. This is our chance. We can also do it. We must see this crisis as the necessary disequilibrium required for serious actions and drastic change. We will not allow this opportunity to pass”.

The Minister said that having being appointed Minister and chairman of National Sports Commission only two months to the Olympics, he had to learn quickly. ‘’I have not received a better lesson than in the last two weeks of London 2012 Olympics. I have learnt three key lessons.

1. Olympics medal is about hard cash. It is not a coincidence that the medals table appears to reflect the level of economic development of the countries.

But having the resources is one thing, making the right strategic investment is another. Team Great Britain largely owes its dramatic success to what is described as ‘’unprecedented financial investment” totaling up to more than £740 million over 15 years. The current annual spending on sports stands at £100 million. However, only 40% of this comes from the treasury, while the remaining 60% is lottery fund.

Conversely, Australia finished fourth in Sydney with 16 gold medals. In London, Australia has fallen outside the top 10 with 6 gold medals. Australians have blamed reduced funding for elite athletes and a lack of facilities at the grassroots levels.

He said that every medal is clearly projected and carefully planned for both in financial and technical terms. There is no short cut.

Medals are won by people who have worked hardest not by those who have prayed hard. ‘’We can only win medals by building systems that capable of producing medalists and champions not by selecting athletes that we hope can win medals”.

Bolt Blazes to Glory, Creates futher Records

 
 Usain Bolt made history on Thursday when the Jamaican successfully defended his Olympic 200m crown to claim an unprecedented second successive sprint double.

Bolt, who retained his 100m title on Saturday, crossed the line in the equal fourth fastest time of all time of 19.32sec to win in front of a delirious sell-out 80,000 crowd at the Olympic Stadium.

The 25-year-old's victory meant he bettered the record of US track legend Carl Lewis, who won three golds and a silver in the sprints at the 1984 and 1988 Games.

Bolt said: "This is the one I wanted and I got it."


It was also the first time two individual track titles were successfully defended at successive Games since Finland's Lasse Viren won the 5000m and 10,000m in the Munich and Montreal Games in 1972 and 1976.

Bolt led a Jamaican clean sweep of the podium, with training partner Yohan Blake taking silver in 19.44sec and Warren Weir claiming a shock bronze in 19.84sec.

The only thing missing from the race was a new world record for Bolt, but he revealed he had felt his back during the race.

"I could feel the strain on my back a little bit so all I did was try to keep my form, run home and when I saw where I was going I stopped running because I knew it wasn't going to be a world record."

Running in lane seven, Bolt was up on Weir outside him within five paces after an explosive start.

As he rounded the bend, Blake briefly threatened from lane four, but teeth clenched, eyes on the big screen and at full tilt, Bolt had enough to slow down a full 10 metres from the line, raising his finger to his lips as he did so.

Whether that gesture was for title contender Blake or this season's growing band of doubters, only Bolt knows, but his victory underlined his position as the greatest sprinter on the planet.

The London Games are Bolt's fourth global championship since 2008.


He has won six titles in the seven individual events in which he has competed, his one blip coming when he was disqualified from the Daegu world championship 100m final last year after a false start.


Bolt, also the world record holder in both the 100 and 200m, was not quite his usual playful self in the moments before he settled, an air of seriousness permeating a silenced stadium as he offered a regal-like wave.

Amid the tangible tension, Bolt briefly crossed himself and pointed skywards before setting himself.

The starter's gun signalled a dramatic change in mood as a determined Bolt pulled out all the stops to burn off his rivals from the off.

Apart from Bolt, eight men (Archie Hahn (1904), Ralph Craig (1912), Percy Williams (1928), Eddie Tolan (1932), Jesse Owens (1936), Bobby Morrow (1956), Valeriy Borzov (1972), Carl Lewis (1984), have won the sprint double at the same Olympics, but only Hahn and Lewis have successfully defended the short sprint.

Hahn missed out on his chance of a "double-double" when the 200m was not included in the 1906 Games and Lewis, after being upgraded to 100m champion in Seoul following Ben Johnson's disqualification, lost to US teammate Joe DeLoach in the 200m.

Eaglets’ 5-1 victory excites Amuneke

Golden Eaglets’ Assistant Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has expressed joy at his team’s 5-1 spanking of Diamond Stars Academy FC in a friendly at St Patrick’s College, Ikot Ansa, Calabar on Wednesday. The  national U-17 team is currently camped in Calabar, ahead of the 2013 CAF U-17 qualifier against Niger Republic in September, this year.
The friendly match against Diamond Stars was the Eaglets’ first training match since resumption last week in Calabar, for their second closed camping.
Diamond Stars won the Cross River State Governor’s Cup in 2010.
Amuneke said on Wednesday after the friendly that although the match, against a grassroots team, was part of other friendlies lined up to fine-tune the Eaglets for the qualifier.
“It is about time the players begin to assume responsibilities on the pitch and we are encouraged that they are executing some of the things we are teaching them.
“This is our first game but the players are gradually getting back into their groove which is a good thing to see,’’ Amuneke, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year, said.
Kelechi Iheanacho was easily the man-of-the-match, which was played under the rain.
Iheanacho combined beautifully with Isaac Success in the attack as the Eaglets scored their opening goal through Ifeanyi Matthew in the 12th minute, while Ahmed Umar made it two in the 27th minute.
Undaunted, Diamond Stars later reduced the tally through a header by Peter Hen in the 41st minute to end the first half.
In the second half, Diamond Stars squandered another opportunity of scoring an equalizer almost immediately after losing a penalty.
Eaglets’ Wilfred Ndidi headed home a pin-point corner kick from Iheanacho in the 57th minute, while Success scored the fourth off a pass from Friday Njengo in the 60th minute.
Both Gilmond Lukman of Stoke City and Oluwaseun Jegede of Aspire Academy in Qatar came in as replacements for Umar and Iheanacho respectively, in the dying minutes of the second half.
Substitute Jegede completed the routing as he scrambled the ball into the net few minutes towards regulation time, to end the match at 5-1 in favour of Golden Eaglets.
FIFA Grade 1 Referee, Akwa Robbe, took charge of the match.

Big Brother Africa Stargame finalist, Talia, apologises for sex show.

Talia-Hayward

Zambian-born Big Brother Africa Star Game finalist, Talia Hayward, has appealed to her fans and compatriots to forgive her for her public sex show with fellow housemate, Keegan, of South Africa.

Within 90 days, Talia dated Keegan and an Angolan housemate, Seydou.

She was watched by the whole world, including her parents and younger sibblings having sex with Keagan on live TV.

Keegan 21, emerged winner of the US$ 300,000 grand prize of the seventh edition of Big Brother Africa reality show which ended on Sunday.

The soft spoken Talia said at a media briefing on Wednesday that society should not be too quick to judge her for the ‘sins’ she might have committed while participating on the show, zambianwatchdog.com reports.

“I would like to apologize to my fans and society for the activities that happened in the house.

“It is difficult to be in the house, there is too much pressure especially that that there are a lot of people from different backgrounds and culture and in a small space,” she said.

Talia, who acknowledged that she might not have represented Zambia well in during her 91-day stay in the house, said she was only human and bound to make mistakes.

“Being in that house can be overwhelming and it is difficult to control certain emotions,” she said apologetically.

Prior to Keegan, Talia had an affair with Angolan housemate Seydou just after a few days in the House.

Talia has not spoken about her Zambian boyfriend, if she has any, the report said.

Dana Crash: More Blood As Govt Releases Victims’ Bodies

Nwalaka

With bottles, knives, bricks and daggers, officials of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, and relatives of Dana plane crash victims this morning attacked journalists who had gone to cover the release of the bodies of the victims.

Nwalaka

The attacks by officials came from many directions simultaneously and were so severe that a senior photojournalist with the Leadership newspaper, Mr. Benedict Walaka, was scurried to the hospital bleeding profusely from the head.
“He could bleed to death,” a senior journalist said as he and others were rushing Walaka to the hospital with blood gushing from his head.
As Walaka bled and collapsed, another staff from the hospital hit him with a bottle, leaving the pieces all over his hair.
Planks and other dangerous objects flew all over as pandemonium broke out and journalists scurried to protect themselves.
The officials who had invited journalists to cover the event at a joint press conference yesterday, accused journalists of taking pictures of the morgue, including relatives who came to claim their loved ones.
“You think we are joking here? We don’t want journalists here,” one female official was heard shouting in anger.
As Walaka insisted that he must collect his seized camera, the morgue officials brought an electronic gadget and hit him on the neck as security men called in dragged the about 50-year old veteran journalist.
The hospital was set to release 25 bodies today according to a list pasted at LASUTH. The release will take place every day until Monday.
About 132 bodies had undergone DNA tests and identified. It was learnt that the exercise was yet to be carried out on 16 bodies.
The bodies, it was learnt, would be released to a next-of-kin or an authorised relative. Before the bodies are released, a document signed by the hospital, the ministry of justice and other relevant government agencies would have to complete the process.
The bodies to be released today include those of Levi Ajuonuma, the former NNPC spokesperson and Ehime Aikhomu, son of a former late Naval chief.
Others are Aisha Abdu, Datoru Abikailo, Kaltum Abubakar, Jonathan Abiodun, Ike Abudu, Adekunbi Adebiyi, Oluwadamilare Adeleke, Abraham Adjolola, Inusa Ahmed, Ehi Joel Ailente, Obinna Akubueze, Elizabeth Omuluzua Akweze, Martin Alade, Mahmud Aliyu, Joy Allison, John Hamza Amadu, Raphael O. Amiaka, Oluwatosin Anibaba, Onyeka Chukwuma Anyene, Maimuna Anyene, Roger Aouad, Temitope Aribiyi and Florence Olusola Arokoyu.

Woman, 40, Jailed For Hiring Kids To Beg

A 40-year old woman has been sentenced to three months imprisonment for begging for alms with five children in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
The woman, Jemilat Oseni from Osun State, was arrested at Seme Border with five children begging for alms by officials of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit. She was arraigned at the Special Offences Court in Alausa, Ikeja, for illegally being in possession of children not hers to beg for alms and for violating the rights of the children.
The age of the children range between nine months and 11 years. Two of the children belong to Mrs Rainat Ado and Mrs Zainab Abubakar. Two of the remaining children were her grand children while the 11 years old child is her own child.
According to them, Oseni told them that she wanted to use the children to smuggle some goods from Benin Republic, saying that with the children with her, custom officers would have pity and allow her to go.
They said the culprit usually gives them rice whenever she returned from her business.
A staff of the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, had seen the woman begging for alms with the children at Seme Border and reported the matter to the taskforce officials.
After she was sentenced to three months imprisonment at Kirikiri Prison, the five children have been kept in the custody of the WAPA Ministry. The other two women, who gave out their children for the business, were fined N10, 000 each by the court.

US Secretary of State,Hillary Clinton Arrives Nigerian Presidential Villa, Meets Goodluck.

• US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, …

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Nigeria's president Thursday as the continent's largest oil producer faces an Islamist insurgency raising deep concern among Western powers.

Her visit to Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and a major supplier of US oil imports, comes with President Goodluck Jonathan under growing pressure to stop the violence in the northern and central regions of the country.

Islamist militant group Boko Haram has killed more than 1,400 people since 2010, according to Human Rights Watch. Clinton was to offer help to Nigeria in boosting the country's investigative and intelligence capabilities.

"(Clinton) will be renewing our offers of assistance and help to the Nigerians," a senior State Department official said ahead of her meeting with Jonathan on the latest stage of an Africa tour.

"This is a problem for Nigeria, but also, northern Nigeria borders Cameroon, it borders Niger," he said, expressing concern that a radical network could undermine the security of neighbouring states.

The US offer of assistance is to include helping to develop Nigeria's forensics and investigative procedures, according to the official.

"We can help them develop mechanisms for tracking and determining individuals who are likely to be engaged in supporting Boko Haram actively," the official said.

Washington would also be willing to help Nigeria develop an intelligence coordination centre that would assist the country in integrating information, the official said.

Some US lawmakers have been pushing President Barack Obama's administration to label Boko Haram a terrorist group, but diplomats have resisted the designation, stressing it remains domestically focused.

In June, the United States labeled suspected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau and two other Nigerian militants "global terrorists," allowing any US assets they may have to be blocked.

Shekau appeared in a video posted to YouTube last weekend dismissing the designation and criticising Jonathan.

Nigeria has provided some eight percent of US oil imports, and crude production, based in the country's south, has not been affected by the insurgency.

Boko Haram's targets have continually widened, with the group having moved from assassinations to increasingly sophisticated bombings, including suicide attacks.

Members are believed to have sought training in northern Mali from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Al-Qaeda's north African branch, and Western nations have been monitoring closely for signs of further links.

Boko Haram has attacked UN headquarters in the capital Abuja and one of the country's most prominent newspapers, in addition to frequent bombings and shootings in the country's northeast, where the sect is based.

While Muslims have often been its victims, it has recently specifically targeted churches, and Jonathan has accused the group of seeking to provoke a religious crisis in a country roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominately Christian south.

On Monday night, gunmen stormed a church in central Nigeria, shutting off the electricity and gunning down 19 people. There has not yet been any claim for the attack, though it resembled others blamed on Boko Haram.

The group is believed to include a number of factions with varying interests, and many analysts say deep poverty and a lack of development in Nigeria's north have been key factors in creating the insurgency.

A senior US official said Thursday that Washington wants to encourage Nigeria to set up a "comprehensive programme in the north" that combined a security strategy with a socio-economic plan.

The country and its enormous economic potential have long been held back by deeply rooted corruption, with infrastructure sorely lacking and electricity blackouts occurring daily despite its oil wealth.

"Despite Nigeria's tremendous oil wealth, endemic government corruption and poor governance have robbed many Nigerians of their rights to health and education," US-based Human Rights Watch said this week.

"These problems are most acute in the north -- the country's poorest region -- where widespread poverty and unemployment, sustained by corruption, and state-sponsored abuses have created an environment in which militant groups thrive."

Clinton will spend several hours in the Nigerian capital Abuja before travelling to Ghana for the funeral of president John Atta Mills, who died on July 24.

Manchester Utd Bidding To Buy Van Persie From Arsenal.

Manchester United are trying to sign Dutch international striker Robin van Persie from Premier League rivals Arsenal, said manager Alex Ferguson.
“We have made a bid,” Ferguson told his club’s website (www.manutd.com). “We’re trying our best but there’s no progress at this moment in time.
“We’re not getting any breakthrough with Arsenal. I don’t know what their thoughts are because they’re not giving anything away.”
Van Persie announced in July that he would not be extending his contract with the Londoners because he was unhappy with the direction they were taking.
The 29-year-old, who has one year remaining on his contract, has been with Arsenal since 2004.
Van Persie was the league’s top scorer last season with 30 goals, three more than United spearhead Wayne Rooney who finished in second place. The new season kicks off on August 18.

Man u Manager

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Beyonce & Jay-Z Named World's Highest Paid Celebrity Couple.

Jay-Z & Beyonce

Forbes Magazine just named Jay-Z and Beyonce the highest paid celebrity couple in the world. Together they made $78 million - from May 2011 to May 2012. Beyonce - $40m, Jay Z - $38m. And Beyonce took a break for most of the year.

Take Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z, for example. Last year’s runners-up on the list of The World’s Highest-Paid Celebrity Couples, the duo has now climbed one spot to top this year’s ranking. Knowles, who took a break from her hectic touring schedule in 2011 to give birth to daughter Blue Ivy Carter, still collects big paychecks from old hits. Besides, the singer’s new album went platinum in the U.S., not to mention her non-musical ventures and endorsement deals, which all helped to bring her total earnings between May 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012 to $40 million, according to data from the latest Celebrity 100 list.

Jay-Z & Beyonce

And as the male half of music’s first couple, Jay-Z isn’t far behind his wife. The hip-hop mogul made millions from Watch the Throne, his musical collaboration with pal Kanye West, and even more from the tour that followed. Add to that a bevy of non-musical enterprises such as ad firm Translation and cosmetics company Carol’s Daughter and the result is a staggering $38 million that he has brought home in twelve months, putting the couple’s annual income at $78 million.