Saturday 17 August 2013

Jonathan creates new army division, sends 8,000 troops after Boko Haram

President Goodluck Jonathan appears set to
boost the strength of the military in the
insurgency infested North-east after indications
emerged that about 8,000 troops are being sent
there.
The troops, according to security sources, will
form the nucleus of an army division to be
established in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Sunday Vanguard was made to understand at
the weekend that the need to establish the new
army division in the stronghold of the Boko
Haram Islamist group is to firm up the successes
recorded by special forces of the Joint Task Force
(JTF) which have reportedly dislodged the
insurgents from the forests and mountains of the
North-east.

The move came to light barely 48 hours after the
United States (US) said security efforts were
necessary to protect innocent Nigerians, prevent
Boko Haram’s acts of violence, capture and
prosecute its leaders.

The US Under Secretary of State, Wendy
Sherman, who gave the recipe to ending the
insurgency challenge in Nigeria on behalf of her
home government, spoke in Abuja at the
opening session of the US-Nigeria Bi-national
Commission’s Regional Security Cooperation
Working Group on Thursday.

Also yesterday, the Chairman of Police Service
Commission (PSC), Mr Mike Okiro, advocated the
establishment of a civil force to complement the
efforts of security agencies at the grassroots to
curb terrorism and other crimes.
Sunday Vanguard learnt that the new army
division to be domiciled in Maiduguri is tagged
7th Infantry Division and may have one General
Etnan as the General Officer Commanding (GOC).

The 8,000 troops to be deployed there, according
to sources, are made up of 7,000 troops from
army headquarters brigade in Yola, Adamawa
State, the army headquarters brigade (Mongonu)
in Maiduguri, the battalion in Yobe and the army
headquarters brigade in Sokoto as well as the
about 1,000 troops recalled from operations in
Mali.

Sunday Vanguard was told that the new army
division will take over operations of securing the
entire North-east and seal off the border axis
between Nigeria and Niger, Chad and Cameroon
where intelligence has shown that terrorists get
their training and launch bombing attacks on
Nigeria.

Before the establishment of the division which
Sunday Vanguard gathered was on the
recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff,
Lt. General Oyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, parts of
the Area of Responsibility (AOR) were under the
1st Infantry Division of the army in Kaduna,
which has Major General Garba Wahab as GOC
and 3rd Armoured Division in Jos which has
Major General Awala as GOC.
Asked about the fate of the Major General
Ewansiha led JTF in Maiduguri, with the
establishment of the new division, a source said
the JTF will work hand in hand with the new
division, adding, however, that it (JTF) is an
interim force which most likely will be scaled
down after the first phase (6 months) of the
state of emergency had achieved its objectives.
Meanwhile, Sunday Vanguard gathered, also at
the weekend, that the Nigerian Airforce Strike
Group with headquarters in Yola, Adamawa
State, where some attack aircraft of the Tactical
Air Command are stationed, is to be upgraded
with the injection of more fighter and patrol
aircraft as well as helicopter gunships.

The upgrade became necessary, according to
sources, to provide air cover and patrols over the
vast and dense forests of the North-east where
Boko Haram insurgents held sway for months,
hoisting their flags, claiming territories and
collecting taxes from Nigerians.
Towards this end, it was gathered that the Chief
of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Sabundu
Badeh, has directed the relocation of some
patrol and surveillance aircraft from the 81 Air
Maritime Command in Benin, and the Special
Operations Group in Port Harcourt to Yola.

Some
Alpha jets will also leave Kainji for Yola.
The PSC Chairman, Okiro, advocating the
establishment of a civil force to complement the
operations of security agencies, yesterday,
believes the force, under the supervision of the
police, will curtail terrorism and other criminal
activities at the grassroots.
The former Inspector General of Police (IGP)
spoke at the Corporate Council on Africa in
Washington, US. The Corporate Council, which
has on its membership Nigerians in diaspora,
had invited him to deliver a lecture during a
round table discussion on civil security in Nigeria.
Citing the civilian JTF in Borno State, he noted
that “the positive impact of the youth civilian
volunteer group in Borno State justifies such
reasoning.”

Okiro based his belief on the principle of the
American Homeland Security, stressing that the
operation of the civil security force should be in
line with Bahama and Sri-Lanka models, which
are under the command of the police.

Nigerian state (ogun) plans Africa’s tallest building

The Ogun State Government, western Nigeria, on Friday demolished its old
Secretariat at Oke-Ilewo in Abeokuta, the capital.
Mr Mohammed Affez, Lead Urban Designer and Project Director of Abeokuta City
Centre told newsmen in Abeokuta that it was demolished to give way for new
Abeokuta City Centre project.
Affez said the master plan of the project was being finalised and would include 60-
storey skyscraper hoped to be the tallest in Africa.
He said the project would be handled and financed by Urbanisima Ltd., a Malaysian
company.
“There would be adjoining structures which would redefine the landscape of the
capital city.
“Others are shopping mall, recreation centre, signature tower, office complex, hotels
and world class convention centre.”
The demolition is being carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction
Corporation (CCEC).
Recently,members of the state’s Technical Committee on the project visited Malaysia
for a week-long training on the design of its master plan.

A message to all single ladies - from Charly Boy( Charles oputa)

  If you're a single lady...this message is for you
from Mr Charles Oputa
All the single ladies reading this, chin-up
and give your good self a thumb up.
Nothing doest thou. Last week I had a
father/daughter discussion with my
Princess. I could feel the frustration in her
tone as we spoke about different issues.
When I asked about her boyfriend she
gave me a very long and irritated “Naija
babe” hiss, she aired out her frustrations
with this whole dating business. "Daddy
we are no longer dating." “I’m so very
sorry my love, but what happened I
queried,” very anxious to hear the gist,
cause me and my Princess are just that
close. This is my daughter’s 3rd boyfriend
since she started dating, and she has only
been with him for barely 6months…
"Daddy, please I’m tired, he is not
ambitious, he has no drive, and he is too
laid back for his own good, how can I
marry a man like that? To make matters
worse, he thinks I am overly ambitious,
he says I do way too much – please tell
me how that’s a bad thing.” Hummmmm,
my daughter, my princess my pride and
joy is unhappy.
You see since childhood, my Princess has been
very independent, very focused and
determined - no nonsense kind of ‘chic’, (can
an apple fall too far from its tree). She is
intelligent and extremely hardworking, I mean
what more could a man ask for in a woman?
Quickly, I was thinking of how to calm my
ticked off Princess down. "Darling, you know
daddy will always love you no matter what,
most importantly you know damn too well that
you are not under any pressure to get married.
So be patient, concentrate on your carrier and
yourself my darling, he will come when he
comes, and if he doesn't come, have your
baby, I wouldn't mind another grandchild." Did
I really say that? Oh! Yes I did, and I meant
that.
Single ladies are on the rise these days,
because for a long time coming, there has been
an explosion of male joblessness in Nigeria and
the world over. There has also been a decline
in men's life prospects that have disrupted and
distorted the dating or the "marriage market",
in a way that narrows a marriage minded
woman's options. Today all the Nigerian single
"good" ladies who are desirous to settle down
are at a cross road in their dating life, most of
them are simply tired, a lot are frustrated and
many are giving up. Their options are really
limited; it is mostly between the millions of
Gigolos or the deadbeat, some of who are
pretending that they are waiting for Jesus
before they get it together; those who don't
have ambition burning in their soul. I can't
believe that I told my daughter to go ahead
and have a baby out of wedlock. Well, with the
way things are playing out in our environment,
it is time we embraced new ideas about dating
and marriage. Society’s highest institution
called "Marriage" is fast becoming old
fashioned and outdated. Look around and see
the alarming rate of divorce matters all over
the place, something is definitely wrong my
people. At this rate, falling in love and getting
married will be a question of choice rather
than societal expectation or luck. Frankly
speaking, women have climbed so high in their
independence and career and are doing way
better than the men. Men have been falling
behind with amazing alacrity. Good single
women are so disappointed and it’s
unimaginable, it's like going to a party that has
been the talk of the town for long. You buy
your new dress hoping to show off at the
party, but by the time you land, they tell you
that all the good people have left, and the
ones left are really the servants, their friends
or relatives who have come to scavenge on the
left over food. Believe it or not, that's the
situation today, no kidding.
Since the days of my grandfather, marriage
has been primarily an economic and political
contract between 2 families, prized and policed
by families, relatives and community. That’s
why in my village, they will tell you "no be only
your wife/husband you they marryoooooo"
Things have changed since then, most of our
dates are from facebook, bb chat, online
dating, the hocus-pocus church called
Pentecostals, etc. There is no doubt in my mind
that we are in the midst of an extraordinary
change. The transformation of young
outstanding women, considered marriage
material, is momentous, immensely liberating
and immensely scary for prospective suitors. All
the old ways are breaking down, these days
ladies want to be in-charge of their lives, you
can't blame them. Forget about the days of
being submissive, na for your pocket. Forget
about marriage vows where it says about
obeying your husbands, hummmm joor, they
are not slaves, understanding works better. Do
they need husbands to have babies these
days? Please don't get this twisted, marriage is
divine and sweet when you can not only find a
soul mate, but someone who can inspire you,
respect you, love you, adore your feminity and
independence. They are hard to find oooooo.
My daughter knows that finding a good man is
like finding a needle in a haystack. None the
less, should women feel psychologically
defeated? Hell No! Most men who don't know
what time it is are still locked down with that
old macho bullshit, that it is a Man’s world.
Hummmmm for where, my people, women run
things now, let’s get used to it, abegi, so our
days on earth will be longer joor.
My princess, my baby, my joy, my little big girl
knows that her character, her pedigree, her
background, her ambition, her zeal and
courage will most likely intimidate a lot of men
out there, she realizes that this will further
narrow her pool of prospects, just like she is
also aware that with each passing year she is
getting older and never younger but the
options stay very limited. All I’m trying to say is
this, I tip my hat for all the "good" single ladies
out there, keep the fate, I admire your courage
in not wanting to settle for any trash out there.
If it doesn't fit, trash it, finding a life time
partner is not ‘moimoi’. The world is already
too troubled for you to be in a relationship
that you know will not make you happy.
Women can see these things ahead you know,
that's why they are a special breed of God’s
creation. I have discovered lately that men
need women in their lives to keep them stable,
but if push comes to a shove, women don't
really need men, a case in point, ‘The great
Oprah’. Yes, good men are hard to find, ask
Lady D. Ha!!

I Go Dye releases new pics as he passes positive message to youths

Comedian (i go die) says 'you can re-write
your story by making it history'. See more pics
of the comedian

Former Chelsea coach and champion league winner Roberto Di Matteo is in Nigeria

Former Chelsea coach Roberto Di
Matteo is in Nigeria. He came into the country
today Friday August 16th courtesy Guinness,
the beer of choice. While in town, he will be
launching the Guinness Football Manager- a
platform that put you in the driver’s seat and
lets you ‘Be the Boss’ as you pick your team,
call the shots, and, if you do well, win fantastic
prizes.
He will also be announcing the launch of the
epic football show Guinness Raise Your Game
- a weekly show that will bring you all the
latest football news, amazing interviews with
world-class footballers, epic live music
performances and exclusive on-the-sofa chats!
Sign up for free at m.guinnessvip.com and own
your own team and be the first to know
Roberto’s activities. Also tune in to super sports
to hear Roberto’s analysis on matches to be
played on Saturday August 17 th, 2013.
All these brought to you by Guinness. As the
new English premier league begins be sure to
grab a bottle of Guinness and drink
responsibly. Guinness is sold strictly to +18.

FG appoints electricity generating football inventor as Ambassador

  The Federal Government has appointed
Jessica Mathews, a U.S.-based Nigerian, who
invented energy generating football and skipping
rope as an `Entrepreneurship Ambassador’.
The Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr
Olusegun Aganga, announced this on Friday after
the presentation and demonstration of the
invented products to President Goodluck
Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.
Aganga said, “Mathews is an inspiration to every
Nigerian, especially children, and the product is
portrayed as made by a Nigerian for the world.

The product is actually versatile, it is not just
about the electricity you see, you can use it to
charge your mobile phones and fans so there are
so many things for which it can be used.

“We are also looking at the possibilities of
manufacturing it in Nigeria and see how we can
make it cheaper in this country.
“I am glad that Matthew has also agreed to be
our ambassador in terms of promoting
entrepreneurship in our universities.

“What we want to do is to bring successful
entrepreneurs like Matthew to inspire the
students and make them more creative so that
they can also be employers of labour,’’ the
minister said.

Matthew, an Edo-born inventor, who
demonstrated the soccer ball, said it could
generate three hours of electricity after 30
minutes of play and could store power for 72
hours.

The electricity generated by the ball, according to
her, can be used as electricity source to power
lighting points and household equipments.

Mathews, 25, and Co-founder of Uncharted play,
said the airless football used as electricity power
source when not in use, could span for 18-
months before replacement.
The inventor, who studied Psychology and
Economics in Havard University, U.S., said she
taught herself Electrical and Mechanical
Engineering because of her interest in the field
She said her motivation to invent the ball and
skipping rope came when she attended a
wedding in Nigeria and there was a sudden
power outage.

“I am a Nigerian and was in Nigeria, it was my
Aunt’s wedding and we lost power. How many
times, is there anyone who has not been
affected?

“For me, I was raised to seek a solution when
there is a problem. To be as creative as you can
and be opened to different ways so you can
address the situation,’’ she said.
Mathews, who spoke on why she chose to use
football, explained: “to me, we all know that
football is the most popular thing in the world.

“To most people, football form is the most
convenient; any man on the street will be
attracted to kicking football.

“So, the idea is to put something that people
really love and get more out of it.
“These are the things we can use to see if we
can amplify existing behaviour to bridge the gap
between what is working and what is not
working in this country that we love so much.

“We take our passion for sports that is so
beautiful and we say okay, let’s give people
renewable clean power that they can control.’’
She said the innovation, which had been
accepted and already in use in the U.S., would
be affordable when mass-produced and
introduced into the Nigerian market.

“Right now, if we are going to sell it here in
Nigeria, it will be equivalent to what you will pay
for a solar inverter.
“Right now, we have not started making them
here, we are selling them in New York and in
New York, we charge people a lot because it is
New York,’’ she said.

Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the
President on Media and Publicity, said Jonathan
congratulated Mathews on her creativity and
innovativeness.

“The president is particularly impressed that
Matthew is multi-talented, and that she
developed herself in science despite that she is a
psychologist and economist.
“It is a proof of the quality of human resource
we have in Nigeria and the president is proud of
her,’’ Abati said.

Abati said the president assured that the
invention would be used as a major tool to
mobilise young children and encourage them to
think more deeply.

Teacher can’t read own certificate?

BENIN CITY
When the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-
Kuti sang his popular number, Teacher, Don’t
Teach Me Nonsense, many thought it was just a
song but the song had become a reality in time.
It was sometime in 2011, when Governor Adams
Oshiomhole paid an unscheduled visit to a
primary school in Edo North senatorial district of
the state that he found out the rot which has
pervaded the Universal Basic Education in the
state.
For someone who has embarked on massive
construction and rehabilitation of schools in the
country of course, he must be concerned with
the quality of teachers in these schools.
Oshiomhole beckoned on a teacher in the school
and asked him what are his workings hours. The
teacher could not answer and said I don’t know
and later murmured “7am to 4pm Sir”.

A visibly shocked Oshiomhole now called a pupil
and asked, “where is your teacher? The teacher
standing beside him replied on behalf of the
pupil “na me”. That was when the governor knew
that he has a serious problem in the educational
sector.
A week after the incident, a group of Universal
Basic Education teachers who were at the
Government House in Benin to protest their non
absorption into the state teaching service
stormed the state government House, unknown
to them the governor was waiting for such an
opportunity to bare his mind on the rot in the
system. While addressing the UBE teachers he
asserted that employment into the state teaching
service will no longer be automatic, adding that
the applicant must show competence beyond
paper qualification.
He said to them, “the governor does not have a
guaranteed job, therefore nobody can have one.
You must go through proper interview. The
system must be convinced that you have what it
takes to be a good teacher”. He stressed that the
system must go through progressive change to
ensure that education is restored to its pride of
place, stressing there are teachers who cannot
speak English. “Whatever they were doing
before, we have to review it in the light of
current experience. We have teachers who
cannot speak English. I asked a teacher last
week what the working hours were. He did not
know, he said 7am to 4pm. And I asked a pupil,
where is your teacher? The teacher said, ‘na
me’. The governor disclosed that government
was going to employ teachers to fill the existing
vacancies, but it must be based on merit and
not geographical area.

APGA Threatened To Declare Okorocha's Seat Vacant

The All Progressives Grand Alliance has
threatened to ask a court to declare Imo State
Governor, Rochas Okorocha's post vacant over
his defection to the All Progressives Congress.
The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor
Umeh, stated this in an interview with
Saturday PUNCH in Abuja on Friday.
Umeh said the party would be relying on the
Supreme Court judgment in Rotimi Amaechi vs
Celestine Omehia and the Peoples Democratic
Party, which decided that the electorate voted
for a political party and not individuals.
He said APGA would base its court action on
the fact that it was the party that gave
Okorocha the ticket to be governor.
He said, "Okorocha's case is entirely a
different thing and the party has suspended
him for his actions and despite the statements
by his aides and his deputy that they are in
the APC for good. We are waiting for him to
make a formal declaration on joining the APC.
"If he does that, APGA will take him to court
seeking a declaration that his seat becomes
vacant. In doing that, we shall be relying on
the Supreme Court authority in the case of
Rotimi Amaechi vs Celestine Omehia and the
PDP, where the Supreme Court emphatically
stated in the judgment that the electorate
voted for the party and not the candidate."
Asked whether the governor was risking
expulsion, the APGA chairman said, "The
choice is his," adding, "ordinarily, we won't
like to expel a governor that was elected
through our platform."
Several calls and a text message put to a
former Commissioner for Information in IMO
State, who has been acting as Okorocha's
spokesperson, Mr. Chinedu Offor, were not
replied.
But sources in the Imo State Government
House told our correspondent that the
governor travelled to the United States in
company with many of his friends and aides.
The governor recently dissolved his cabinet
and removed his aides.
However, Okorocha's immediate past Special
Assistant (Media), Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa,
dismissed the threat.
Uzoukwa, who is also reacting as Convener/
President of South-East Progressive Assembly,
said, "Though we do not intend to speak for
the governor nor the Imo State government
on this particular issue, but as progressives
deeply committed to promoting democracy at
the grass roots as well as raising political
awareness in the South-East, we frown at
Chief Umeh's destructive agenda, which, if
not checkmated, has the tendency of
polarising the zone ahead of 2015.  

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Femi Kuti's Performs With His Sons On Stage

Femi Kuti's young sons joined him and his
Positive Force band on stage last night to
perform at the New African Shrine...and I hear
they gave a great performance. He's grooming
future Afrobeat kings. 

Sunday 11 August 2013

Fashola Is A Gift To Nigeria - IBB

Former military dictator, Ibrahim Badamosi
Babangida has described Governor Fashola as
a gift to Nigeria. HE made the remarks during
a courtesy call on the Goveernor to
sympathize with him on the passing of his
father, Ademola Fashola.
Speaking during the visit at Lagos House,
Marina, IBB said, “In Islam, we do pray for
long life but long life does not mean living for
100 years or 500 years. We are gratified that
Papa left and he left one important gift, that
is Governor Raji Fashola. So we are grateful
that God has spared his life to see a Governor
that everybody respects in this country and I
also pray that one of your children will also
take the footsteps you have taken after Papa”.
Also present at the meeting was Abdulsalami
Abubakar, who declared, “I keep saying that
without peace, there wouldn’t be any country,
without peace, there wouldn’t be people and
without peace there wouldn’t be means of
livelihood”.
Speaking in response to the retired Generals,
Fashola prayed for peace in the country and
said he hoped the promise of Nigeria will
come alive during their lifetimes.
He said, “I hope that the leadership that you
both provide for this country will continue to
endure and that through that leadership,
much more enduring peace would spread
around this country and that the promise of
this country will come to pass in your
lifetime.” 

Saturday 10 August 2013

Hull City renamed by owners

Hull City will drop their Association Football
Club label, as part of a rebrand by the club's
owners.
The decision to overhaul the club's moniker
will see a focus placed on 'Tigers' as owners
Assem and Ehab Allam look to create a
stronger identity both at home and abroad for
the Premier League newcomers.
References to AFC - which has been part of
the club's name since they were founded in
1904 - will be gradually phased out, with the
term remaining on the club's badge this
season before being removed.
The club will ultimately be know as Hull City
Tigers locally, with the Allams claiming they
will rebrand as Hull Tigers in the national and
international market.
"Hull City is irrelevant," Assem Allam told the
Hull Daily Mail. "My dislike for the word 'City'
is because it is common.
"City is also associated with Leicester, Bristol,
Manchester and many other clubs.
"In the commercial world, the shorter the
name, the better. The more it can spread
quickly.
"It is about identity. City is a lousy identity.
Hull City Association Football Club is so long."
The move has generated controversy among
the club's supporters, with an online petition
already established protesting against the
rebrand.

Friday 9 August 2013

Police Arrest MASSOB Leader, 3 Members For Chanting War Songs

Police Arrest MASSOB Leader, 3 Members For
Chanting War Songs

MASSOB

Coordinator of the Movement for the
Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra
(MASSOB), Anioma/Ndokwa East region of
Delta State, Emeka Okafor was on Wednesday
arrested by operatives of the state police
command, for allegedly chanting war songs.
The 52-year-old was arrested with three
other members of the movement at a
location in Omini-Ugboma community, near
the Bridge Head in Asaba, the Delta State
capital.
Confirming the arrest, Delta State Police
Command spokesman, ASP Lucky Uyabeme,
said the Command acted on a tip-off to
effect the arrest of the MASSOB members.
Uyabame said six Biafran flags were
recovered from the suspects, and they were
chanting war songs at the time of their
arrest.
“Four members of MASSOB were
apprehended at Omini-Ugboma near the
Bridgehead chanting war songs. The police
are currently investigating the suspects to
ascertain the motives behind their
congregating at the location where they were
arrested,” Uyabeme stated.

Joseph and Adaeze Yobo Share Workout

Nice couple
What do you think?

Saturday 13 July 2013

Mourinho reveals Rooney admiration

The Chelsea manager has admitted he is a big
fan of the Manchester United striker, whose
future at the Premier League champions
remains unclear after handing in a transfer
request.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed
his admiration for Manchester United striker
Wayne Rooney .

It emerged back in May that the Blues, along
with Arsenal, were in the hunt to sign the
former Everton star, whom Sir Alex Ferguson
revealed had requested to leave the club last
season.

After missing out on the signing of Falcao, who
sealed a big-money move to Monaco at the start
of the transfer window, Mourinho is in the
market for a marquee striker to lead his attack
next season.

And speaking in Bangkok at the start of the
club's pre-season tour of Asia, the Blues boss
insists he's a big fan of England forward Rooney.

He said: "Rooney is a player I like very much but
I can say no more than that. Being fast and
direct, I like that, but he's a Manchester United
player."

Monday 27 May 2013

5 Ways To Increase Your Intelligence

1. Minimize Television Watching – This is a
hard sell. People love vegetating in front of
the television, myself included more often
than I’d like. The problem is watching
television doesn’t use your mental capacity OR
allow it to recharge. It’s like having the energy
sapped out of a muscle without the health
benefits of exercise.
Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of
TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being
focused on the light box for so long. You don’t
even have the energy to read a book.
When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book
instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some
music. When you’re with your friends or
family, leave the tube off and have a
conversation. All of these things use your
mind more than television and allow you to
relax.

2. Exercise – I used to think that I’d learn
more by not exercising and using the time to
read a book instead. But I realized that time
spent exercising always leads to greater
learning because it improves productivity
during the time afterwards. Using your body
clears your head and creates a wave of
energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and
can concentrate more easily.

3. Read Challenging Books – Many people like
to read popular suspense fiction, but
generally these books aren’t mentally
stimulating. If you want to improve your
thinking and writing ability you should read
books that make you focus. Reading a classic
novel can change your view of the world and
will make you think in more precise, elegant
English. Don’t be afraid to look up a word if
you don’t know it, and don’t be afraid of
dense passages. Take your time, re-read
when necessary, and you’ll soon grow
accustomed to the author’s style.
Once you get used to reading challenging
books, I think you’ll find that you aren’t
tempted to go back to page-turners. The
challenge of learning new ideas is far more
exciting than any tacky suspense-thriller.

4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise – Nothing makes
it harder to concentrate than sleep
deprivation. You’ll be most rejuvenated if you
go to bed early and don’t sleep more than 8
hours. If you stay up late and compensate by
sleeping late, you’ll wake up lethargic and
have trouble focusing. In my experience the
early morning hours are the most tranquil and
productive. Waking up early gives you more
productive hours and maximizes your mental
acuity all day.
If you have the opportunity, take 10-20
minute naps when you are hit with a wave of
drowsiness. Anything longer will make you
lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.

5. Take Time to Reflect – Often our lives get
so hectic that we become overwhelmed
without even realizing it. It becomes difficult
to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep
interrupting. Spending some time alone in
reflection gives you a chance organize your
thoughts and prioritize your responsibilities.
Afterwards, you’ll have a better understanding
of what’s important and what isn’t. The
unimportant stuff won’t bother you anymore
and your mind will feel less encumbered

Friday 24 May 2013

Naeto C Quits Storm Records

In the last 15 months, the Nigerian
entertainment scene has witnessed more label
shakedowns than we could have ever
imagined. And the breakup season isn’t over
yet…

Rapper Naetochukwu Chikwe better known as
Naeto C has ended his relationship with Storm
Records, the music home where he launched
his career into the Nigerian music market.
NET investigations have revealed that the
rapper plans to fully launch his WKG/Cerious
Music label in a matter of months.
Unlike the many breakups that have preceded
Naeto’s, the rapper’s exit is not battlemented;
both parties have been very silent about the
issue. As a matter of fact, Storm Records insist
that the rapper is still signed with them.
One of the label’s directors Tola Odunsi
admits that Naeto has had his own record
label Cerious Music for a while but is still with
Storm.
‘Naeto has had his record label for a while at
least 3 years it’s called Cerious Music – his
music is being pushed as a joint venture btw
storm 360 and Cerious Music. Nothing has
changed’, Odunsi responded to our enquiry
via E-mail.
Naeto C’s profile is still active on the Storm
Records official website but then again, we
can’t take that seriously as General Pype (an
artiste who has since parted ways with the
label) also has his profile on the website.
An inside source however says Naeto has
indeed left and his upcoming project will not
be released under the Storm Records imprint.
One insider said: ‘It is true Naeto started
Cerious Music a few years back but the launch
of his new outfit WKG (meaning White Kaftan
Gang) will see him act fully as an independent
artiste.’
WKG kicked off in the middle of 2012 with the
launch of his ‘Tony Montana (Bad pass)’ video
featuring D’banj. We are told he also plans to
sign Lagos producer E-Kelly.
Storm Records was also not listed as one of
the organizers of his first ever solo US tour
which ran from late March to early May 2013.
Naeto who remains silent on the issue (he
refused to reply our E-mail messages) has
been busy though: he welcomed his first child
while on tour in the US and returned to
Nigeria to seal a deal with telecoms company
Globacom as an ambassador. Popular artiste
manager Godwin Tom also says Naeto is his
new client.
Naeto joined Storm Records in 2006, returning
from the US where he had already formed a
rap group with close friend Ikechukwu and his
younger brother Uzikwendu called ‘World
Famous Akademy’. With the smash hit single
‘Kini big deal’, he released his debut album
‘You Know my P’ in 2008; parted ways with
Ikechukwu who left Strorm in 2010 and then
released a successful second album ‘Super C
Season’ in February 2011.
Storm Records headed by Obi Asika and Olisa
Adibua (the pair are currently in a legal battle)
have in the past signed an impressive long list
of acts including Jazzman Olofin, Darey, GT
the Guitarman, 2shotz, General Pype. They
currently have on their roaster rappers Sasha,
Yung6ix, Pop singer Ms Jaie, Urban-Pop group
L.O.S and gospel singer Tosin Martins.

Friday 10 May 2013

Wizkid Unveils Artists Under "Starboy

Wizkid posted this on his profile and right now,
everyone seems to be happy as he is pushing
his dream of raising talented acts in Nigeria, in
the photo above, starting from the left Maleek
berry, Legendary Beats, Wizkid, Mutayo, Here is
what he posted below
Wizkidayo: It's abt to be a big year! #StarBoy
#EME
Congrats to him we wish him the very best,
After he drops his new mixtape under E.M.E, he
will then pursue his career under Star boy
entertainment, we hear this is the last under
Banky W

Monday 29 April 2013

10 BASIC RULES FOR NEW RELATIONSHIP...

10 BASIC RULES FOR NEW RELATIONSHIP...

The following ten points I'm going to state are
extremely simple, yet people sometimes forget
them:

1.) ASSIGN BOUNDARIES:
if you're a big fan of PDA (public display of
affection), make sure you create a line and not
cross it. Whether you hold hands, kiss, lie on her
lap, just do one of these and don't make it go
overboard.

2.) PERSONAL SPACE IS IMPORTANT:
Make sure both of you give each other
appropriate personal space.You're in a
relationship, it doesn't mean you start creeping
each other out.

3.) LOYALTY IS KEY
Don't play hide and seek with their feelings. If
you have done something wrong, come clean.

4.) A CLEAN PAST
Let's face it, everyone makes mistakes at some
point in their lives. So when you start a new
relationship, make sure it's new in every aspect.
Clear your past in front of your partner, so if
some day some of your past demons wake up,
nothing would decrease the love between you
two and it will also strengthen their trust in you.

5.) DON'T CHEAT
You're probably saying to yourself "What sort of
slowpoke would cheat?". You'd be surprised.

6.) KEEP IT IN THE BEDROOM.
Every couple fights. Some fights end quickly.
Some take time. Regardless of how long they go,
you need to keep it between the two of you. Do
NOT involve friends and family. It'll only make
you two drift apart from each other in the long
run.

7.) ONE SPECIAL DAY
Keep one day for the two of you. It could be
thrice a month or four times a week, depends
on you. But define a day for you two when cell
phones are turned off, no work talk, no family
talk, just the two of you spending some much-
needed quality time together.

8.) BE FRIENDLY
Get to know each others' friends. It never hurts
to get involved in their hangouts if they want you to.

9.) LITERAL DATES
You need to remember each others' birthdays.
And the anniversary is important too. Celebrate
each of these events with your full commitment
and effort.

10.) KEEP IT SIMPLE
This one is especially for the ladies. Ladies,
people love you, but you need to SAY what's on
your mind rather than telling them "It's Okay"
when it's really not. Keep it simple.

DONT FORGET TO COMMENT

Steps To Forming Saving Habit And Financial-Freedom

Steps To Forming Saving Habit And
Financial-Freedom

When I saw a thread yesterday of a young
man who is very uncomfortable because he
isn't saving as much as he really desires.
I have gone through that road before. I read
All the books you can think of on Money,
Finance Management, Business,
Entrepreneurship, Investment, Network
Marketing and Savings. Inshort currently I
have over 1,300 books of such books in my
private library but the truth still remains that
there are way more little (nitty gritty) things
one must put up as a new attitude in order to
break through the habit of not being able to
save.
Below are some very most important things
(steps) you need to take to see a considerable
change.
First and foremost, I want to first bring your
attention to the fact that MOST people still
don't know the difference between NEEDS and
WANTS.

Needs : this are those essential things they
you most likely can't do without I.e, transport
fare, Feeding, House rent, Certification or
Professional courses, Utility bills (PHCN, Water,
Recharge card, Internet).

Wants : this are things that we get to help us
feel better in our social life. Sometimes we
think we can't do without them or they are
very important but as soon as they are paid
for, we realize that we could have used the
money to pay for more essential things.
Examples of wants are 'excess' clothes or
fashion accessories, communication gadgets
(Phones, tablets, ipod, itouch, camera), eating
outs (eatries, pizza/shawama joints, suya
spots),excessive clubbing, Satallite TV
subscription e.t.c.
Below are immediate steps to take to curb
excess spending :

* Have at least THREE bank accounts in
different banks. If at all you want to have an
ATM card have it for ONLY one of the
accounts. One account should be for very long
term expences I.e, house building projects,
towards starting a business, planning for your
wedding,retirement plan.
The 2nd account should be for average long
term projects I.e House rent (once a year),
buying a car, Going for pilgrimage, vacation.
The 3rd account should be for your monthly
expenses I.e, transportation, recharge card,
internet, Cable TV, clothes, fueling of car/
generator, feeding, and alms giving (charity,
tithe, allowance to parents, siblings and
relatives).
NOTE : you should only have an atm card for
this 3rd account and no other account.

* Have A Budget : everything in life is all
about planning, there's an adage that says
"he who fails to plan, plans to fail". Budget
and budgeting is an Extremely important part
of planning to have a profitable business,
happy marriage, successful career and every
other facet of life.
Ensure you have a budget for every single
day, week, month and even year. To be very
honest, keeping budget is a very difficult task
but with discipline and determination, it is
very possible and worthwhile.
You MUST STOP Impulse spending as that is
the only barrier between a rich man and an
average man.
A rich and successful man will NEVER enter a
shop/market/mall to pay for what wasn't
initially on is to buy list no matter how fine or
attractive the item is, unless he thinks he is
getting it far cheaper than the usual price.

* Have more friends who are more Business
inclined than Social inclined : if. I tell you
today that this is the MAIN reason why some
people will most likely never have a
breakthrough in life.

"Show me your friends and......" Also "Birds of
a feather......".
As funny or strange as it may sound, you will
NEVER find the likes of Dangote, Jimoh
Ibrahim, Jim Ovia, Tony Elemelu, Otedola and
others going to a social gathering or event
without the intention of coming out from that
event being more successful. They always and
only go to events to Network (expand their
business horizon), track than someone of
great relevance to them (I.e, a top Custom
Boss, CBN director, Governor, Minister and
the rest). If They weigh their option and see
such invent will not benefit their business and
financial status, trust me, even if Queen of
England or Obama will be present they will
not step foot there.
So many of us today gather friends (majority
of whom are not useful) just as a symbol to
prove how social and friendly we are.
Some
people have been going to Viweing centre
every single saturday for the past 10years to
argue about EPL matches and all through thos
years they have NEVER benefited one single
positive thing be it contract, admission,
business or finance from the people they
meet there and yet they still claim they can't
do without going to viewing centers to watch
match. The people you have been going to
scream your voice out are getting paid and
become richer whereas the same can't be
said about you

Avoid Friends and Family Who always make
you spend : If you have friends who always
encourage you to eat out rather that
preparing home made meals, to go to the
cinemas, malls, events / shows e.t.c. This are
the type of people you should urgently avoid.
When your friends want you to attend all the
Musical and comedy shows, film premiers,
cultural and sporting events, this are thing
that unknown to you wipe out money from
your pockets than you can imagine.
Imagine going to at least 3 shows in a month
which the cheapest ticket you bought per
show is N5,000. That's approximately
N15,000. Yes it looks small but have you ever
sat to imagine those long lasting things
N15,000 could get you? It could get you
company shares, few bags of cement and
blocks, microwave oven, vacum cleaner, deep
fryer, so many beneficial and life changing
books to mention a few.

* Before you spend on anything always ask
yourself "if this item is really need and if yes,
how will it change my life" : just like so many
arguments we get into, so many spendings we
make are absolutely not necessary, if you
can't get excited for an item you paid for
after 3months then that items isn't (wasn't)
really needed in the first place.

* Never Buy things because they are in
vogue : There's always a newer version of
every phone, tablet, Laptop, car, wristwatch,
hand bag, jewellery you buy. If you have a
blackberry bold 4 that is working perfectly,
why want to buy a Bold 5, 6, touch 1,2 and 3
Z10 and iphone 5 just to prove to people you
are a big boy or girl.
Don't forget those people producing these
things keep producing the same thing (with
extremely few changes) just to remain in
business, pay staff and make profit. Using a
phone for a whole year or more doesn't make
you less of a successful person.
Have you noticed that most employees use
phones far more expensive than their
employers? Does is now prove they are more
successful than their employers? The answer
is NO!
Most people acquire things thinking they can
get respect and honor from it whereas a
successful person let's his/her her bank
statement, investment and connection speak
for them.

* Never always be the one to foot the bills
when you go outing with friends : I learned
this a very long time ago. When you go out
socializing with friends never be the one to
always foot the bill. It is always better to have
an agreement with everyone that each person
should pay for whatever they ordered. It
doesn't make you stingy or callous, it only
means you are financially intelligent. You will
be amazed to discover that so many people
never get to eat or drink as much or
expensive when they are being for it by
themselves. A guy who averagely drinks 5
FREE bottles of beer will only order for one
and sip on it for over 2 hours when he knows
he is the one to pay for his drink.

Sunday 28 April 2013

7 Women You Should Never Date

7 Women You Should Never Date

Some things are better left untouched and
some women are better left single. No matter
how inviting and perfect any of these women
seem, you should try your best and keep your
distance, you will thank us later.
We are going to give you a list of women you
should not date and you should remember
that to every rule, there is an exception.
In general, stay away from these women if
and when you come across any of them.

1- Your Best Friend's Sister
This rarely goes well, be it in Nollywood,
Hollywood or real life. Remember Tony
Montana in Scarface? To the girls it is not a
big deal to go out with their brother’s friend,
but guys remember, it is not a good idea, and
make sure you do not allow the ladies folks
lure you into such a relationship.
Guys, your friend does not want you close to
his sister probably because he knows your
mode of operation and he does not want his
sister to become a name in your hall of fame.
Besides that, would it not be awkward for you
to start sharing relationship details with your
girlfriend’s brother
Remember, if you are really serious, talk to
your friend about it first. And even if he
approves, be ready to lose that friendship.
You win the girl and lose a friend
Worst case scenario, you break her heart and
you get into a fight with your best friend, you
lose the girl and a friend.

2- The ex-girlfriend
There is a reason why she is your ex, you
should never forget that. You might be
tempted go back to your ex whenever you are
bored, lonely or Hot.
As a rule, you never go back to your ex-
girlfriends. It is like the proverbial going back
to your vomit.
You might start to get nostalgic and all, but
you should remember that there was a reason
she is in your past and that should be the
same reason she should remain there.

3- 6- The high-maintenance piranha
If your income is trailing behind her needs
then it would be a good idea to tie up your
shoe lace and run for your dear life and
money. At first, you might kid yourself into
thinking that as time goes by her needs are
going to dwindle. You continue to kid yourself
until you realize that her goal of this girl is to
bankrupt your future.
It is almost impossible to have a relationship
without spending money, but if her love for
you is going to be on a per-second-billing then
you should also know that you will be
disconnected when you run out of “airtime”
and she is going to “port” to the next guy with
the most cash.

4- Your co-worker
Your co-worker is one girl that should not be
on your radar when searching for a
relationship.
You could lose your job because of this girl
and she might dump you three days you were
fired for having an affair with her. There is
also the risk that you two might get carried
away and indulge in acts meant for the
bedroom, with the hopes that you won’t be
caught.
Even if you do not get fired because of her,
you might create unnecessary enemies,
especially when she is hot and everybody
wants her, including your boss.
She is also going to be a huge source of
distraction. There is also going to be that
awkward week/month that you would have to
endure after you break up with her.
And just in case she is the boss’ daughter, it is
a huge no-no

5- In a relationship
When a girl is already in a relationship before
you meet her, the best thing for you is to
leave her alone. There is no way it is going to
turn out good.
If a girl is in a relationship before you met
her, and she still agrees to date you, what
does that tell you? Yes, she is not the faithful
type and definitely not a keeper.
If she is in a relationship and refused to go
out with you because she is in a relationship,
then that is a trait you should admire, too
bad she is not faithful to you. And you should
not wait by the corner waiting for another
man’s relationship to crash.
Even if you decide to be just friends, you
already like her, and might put her
relationship with the other guy in jeopardy.

6- Narcissist
Everybody girl deserves some attention from
her lover (to show her that you love her).
Some girls just think that the world is a stage
and they are the star. When she talks, she
wants everybody to listen, when she is in
trouble, everybody should console her. She
wants to be the center of your life, having no
regard for your sibling, parents, friends and
sometimes even your job. She is ready to
anything for special attention; cry, play victim,
lie, just about anything. As long as you supply
her with an unending supply of attention she
if okay.
At first, you would be flattered that you mean
so much to somebody and then she would
begin to sap the living being out of you, the
stress would make look twice your age and if
you do not get away from such a girl in time,
you might just visit your ancestors a lot earlier
than you planned.

7- The Underage
It does not matter how big the girl appears, or
how matured she seems. As long as a girl is
below 18 in Nigeria, she is clearly off limits.
Except of course, your picture in a National
Newspaper and a jail sentence sounds like fun
to you.
When in doubt about her age, ask her or
people that really know her. Now how can you
read our blog if you are in prison?

Arsenal jeers won’t annoy Van Persie – Ferguson

Manchester United
manager Alex Ferguson says he has no
concerns about the prospect of Robin van
Persie facing abuse from fans of his
former club Arsenal when the teams clash
at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Van Persie left Arsenal in an acrimonious
£24 million ($37 million, 28 million euros)
transfer last year and has been a
revelation in his first season at Old
Trafford.
His hat-trick at home to Aston Villa on
Monday took his tally for the campaign to
24 league goals and secured the title for
United, which Arsenal have pledged to
acknowledge by forming a guard of
honour for the visiting team.
The sight of Van Persie being applauded
on to the pitch as a league champion by
his former team-mates is liable to provoke
strong feelings among the Arsenal support,
but Ferguson believes the Dutchman will
not be fazed.
“I don’t bother about it, and I don’t think
Robin should bother about it either,” said
the United manager.
“There was a bit of booing when he
played (against Arsenal) at Old Trafford,
and I expect a portion of fans will do that.
That is the modern generation, I am
afraid.
“For Arsenal to have one of their players
go to their biggest rivals of the last 20
years doesn’t sit well with their fans, nor
Arsene (Wenger, the Arsenal manager) for
that matter.
“But it does happen. You just have to
move on. Arsenal have moved on now.
They are challenging for a Champions
League place and have every chance of
getting one.”
Ferguson has urged United to go on and
break the Premier League points record of
96 by winning their four remaining games,
but Sunday’s showdown will be of far
greater significance to the fight for
Champions League qualification.
Arsenal, in third, fourth-place Chelsea,
and fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur are
currently separated by just two points, but
Wenger’s side are at a disadvantage as
they have played a game more than both
of their rivals.
However, their form is excellent, with six
wins in their last seven matches, and
Wenger believes his side’s performances
prove that Van Persie has not been unduly
missed.
“What you want to focus on is that when
the big players go, you just want to get
around it and try to find a new
organisation that is efficient,” he said
“You always miss a big player. The only
thing I can say is it took us a while to get
around it, but if you look at the number
of goals we’ve scored, it’s similar to last
season (1.91 goals per game compared to
1.95).
“It took us a while to find a different way
because the game went through him (Van
Persie) a lot. We had to find a new
balance between defending and attacking,
but now we are stabilised.”
Wenger finds himself with another striker-
shaped hole to fill ahead of Sunday’s
game, as Olivier Giroud is suspended after
he lost an appeal against the red card he
received in last weekend’s 1-0 win at
Fulham.
In the Frenchman’s absence, Theo Walcott
and Lukas Podolski will compete for the
right to spearhead the home side’s attack.
United have no fresh injury concerns,
although midfielders Paul Scholes and
Ashley Young remain unavailable.
Ferguson has dismissed suggestions he
might elect to field a weakened side and
says he will select his strongest available
team out of “duty” to Arsenal’s rivals in
the battle for a top-four finish.
United have enjoyed a superb record
against Arsenal in recent seasons, winning
nine and losing just one of their last 11
encounters in all competitions.

Friday 8 February 2013

Chime, Enugu Gov returns

AFTER spending 140 days abroad, Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, quietly returned to Nigeria in the early hours of yesterday.
Although no official statement was issued by the state government on the return of the governor, Vanguard learnt that hearrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from United Kingdom at about 5.30am via British Airways and was driven toTranscorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja at 6.45am.
To avoid political associates, aides, friends and relations, who besieged the Asokoro Enugu Governor’s Lodge, it was gatheredthat the governor elected to lodgein one of the Presidential suites inHilton.
A source told Vanguard that the governor will leave the hotel for Enugu today to join the people of the state. Earlier in the day, there were speculations that Chime would brief journalists at the Asokoro lodge only for journalists to rush there and discovered that there was nobody to address them.
Officials of the government, including media aides to the governor, kept sealed lips on Chime’s unceremonious return.
“Oga returned from United Kingdom at 5.30 am this morningand was driven into Abuja where he is convalescing. He will likely come into Enugu today (Friday) or Saturday,” one of his personal aides who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard.
Enugu Local Council chairmen, who planned to hold a resoundingreception for the governor at Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu yesterday when they heard that he would make a triumphant entry into the Coal City after a long absence from the state, had to call off the event.
Welcome relief in Enugu
Enugu residents received the news of Chime’s return to the country with a welcome relief andthanksgiving to God for sparing the governor’s life.
Many residents were seen discussing the development yesterday, though some doubted the news describing it as a rumour.
“We have heard enough of this news about Chime returning to Nigeria. If he has actually returned as claimed, let him comelet us sight him and join him to thank God for His mercies upon his life. Let him return to Enugu so that the masses will have rest of mind and let peace reign in thestate,” said Mr. Gabriel Arum, a civil servant.
Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ abroad —SEG
In its official reaction to the development, the Save Enugu Group, SEG, which had mounted pressures on the state government to make full disclosure on the governor’s health status, said it received withjoy the “informal news of the return of Governor Sullivan Chimeinto Nigeria, in the wee hours of this morning.
“We are reliably informed that Governor Chime arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, on a British Airwaysflight from London Heathrow and moved to the Enugu Lodge in Abuja. We note that this event is taking place exactly one month after we first sounded the alarm of prolonged and unexplained absence. We acclaim this as falling within desired responsive action of leaders in a democracy.
If further information on the frail condition of the Governor is reliable, we wish to state that Governor Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ in good health institutions if the right things were done first and before questions arose. In that respect, we, as other good peopleof Enugu State, stand to hold those responsible for primitive liesand needless cover ups responsible,” the SEG stated.
The statement signed by Messrs Maxi Okwu (Convener), Chief Willy Ezeugwu and Ozo Igbonekwu Ogazimora, however, wished Governor Chime well and full recovery.
On its part, Enugu State Chapter of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, expressed delight and solidarity with the people of Enugu State over the safe return of Governor Chime to Nigeria.
Rising from its monthly general meeting, the group in a statementby its Chairman, Mr. Afam Nnaji and Secretary Pastor FrankGold Ekwueme, also commended the Acting Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, the Executive Council,the Legislature and Local Government Chairmen, for their support and contributions in keeping Enugu working while the governor was away.
How Chime left Nigeria on ‘vacation’
Chime left the country on September 19 last year on what his aides described as accumulated leave but the vacation later became a subject ofcontroversy when his traducers began to allege that the government was lying about his true mission overseas. He had traveled out of the country after attending a function in Abuja without any formal announcementfrom the government.
The nature of his trip gave rise to speculations that all might not be well with the governor. The government swiftly issued a statement saying that the governor had embarked on an accumulated leave but did not specify when he would return to the office.
The SEG, which emerged three months after the governor’s absence, claimed that it had evidence that Chime was incapacitated by ill-health accusing the government of beingeconomical with the truth. It therefore put the government to task to disclose the actual health status of the governor just as it challenged the State House of Assembly to make public the letter purportedly written by the governor notifying it of his intention to embark on vacation with a view to determining whether he had overstayed or not.
The speaker of the Assembly, Eugene Odoh, who was in possession of the letter, remainedadamant as he refused to release the letter but when tension heightened following the prolonged absence of the governor, he explained that the governor was enjoying his vacation. According to him, the governor had the right to stay outside his office for as long as he wished because he was duly protected by the constitution.
The SEG not satisfied by the speaker’s position, demanded thata delegation of eminent personalities in the state be constituted to visit the governor wherever he was overseas to ascertain his state of health and determine why he could not resume duty after his vacation.
The demand was strongly condemned by officials of the state government, who accused the group of trying to play politicswith the ailment of the governor even though his media aides continued to maintain that Chime “was hale and hearty.”
Later, the Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, who has beenacting said Chime duly handed over to him before jetting out of the country and dismissed as falsecomments that he was not in-charge and could not sign any cheque worth more than N500,000.
However, the controversies continued with all segments of Enugu polity attacking and counter-attacking one another until Vanguard interviewed Chimeon January 21 where the governor said he was hale and hearty and would soon return to the country, which he did in style yesterday.

Chime, Enugu Gov returns

AFTER spending 140 days abroad, Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, quietly returned to Nigeria in the early hours of yesterday.
Although no official statement was issued by the state government on the return of the governor, Vanguard learnt that hearrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from United Kingdom at about 5.30am via British Airways and was driven toTranscorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja at 6.45am.
To avoid political associates, aides, friends and relations, who besieged the Asokoro Enugu Governor’s Lodge, it was gatheredthat the governor elected to lodgein one of the Presidential suites inHilton.
A source told Vanguard that the governor will leave the hotel for Enugu today to join the people of the state. Earlier in the day, there were speculations that Chime would brief journalists at the Asokoro lodge only for journalists to rush there and discovered that there was nobody to address them.
Officials of the government, including media aides to the governor, kept sealed lips on Chime’s unceremonious return.
“Oga returned from United Kingdom at 5.30 am this morningand was driven into Abuja where he is convalescing. He will likely come into Enugu today (Friday) or Saturday,” one of his personal aides who pleaded anonymity, told Vanguard.
Enugu Local Council chairmen, who planned to hold a resoundingreception for the governor at Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu yesterday when they heard that he would make a triumphant entry into the Coal City after a long absence from the state, had to call off the event.
Welcome relief in Enugu
Enugu residents received the news of Chime’s return to the country with a welcome relief andthanksgiving to God for sparing the governor’s life.
Many residents were seen discussing the development yesterday, though some doubted the news describing it as a rumour.
“We have heard enough of this news about Chime returning to Nigeria. If he has actually returned as claimed, let him comelet us sight him and join him to thank God for His mercies upon his life. Let him return to Enugu so that the masses will have rest of mind and let peace reign in thestate,” said Mr. Gabriel Arum, a civil servant.
Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ abroad —SEG
In its official reaction to the development, the Save Enugu Group, SEG, which had mounted pressures on the state government to make full disclosure on the governor’s health status, said it received withjoy the “informal news of the return of Governor Sullivan Chimeinto Nigeria, in the wee hours of this morning.
“We are reliably informed that Governor Chime arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, on a British Airwaysflight from London Heathrow and moved to the Enugu Lodge in Abuja. We note that this event is taking place exactly one month after we first sounded the alarm of prolonged and unexplained absence. We acclaim this as falling within desired responsive action of leaders in a democracy.
If further information on the frail condition of the Governor is reliable, we wish to state that Governor Chime did not deserve being hustled out of ‘gainful stay’ in good health institutions if the right things were done first and before questions arose. In that respect, we, as other good peopleof Enugu State, stand to hold those responsible for primitive liesand needless cover ups responsible,” the SEG stated.
The statement signed by Messrs Maxi Okwu (Convener), Chief Willy Ezeugwu and Ozo Igbonekwu Ogazimora, however, wished Governor Chime well and full recovery.
On its part, Enugu State Chapter of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, expressed delight and solidarity with the people of Enugu State over the safe return of Governor Chime to Nigeria.
Rising from its monthly general meeting, the group in a statementby its Chairman, Mr. Afam Nnaji and Secretary Pastor FrankGold Ekwueme, also commended the Acting Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, the Executive Council,the Legislature and Local Government Chairmen, for their support and contributions in keeping Enugu working while the governor was away.
How Chime left Nigeria on ‘vacation’
Chime left the country on September 19 last year on what his aides described as accumulated leave but the vacation later became a subject ofcontroversy when his traducers began to allege that the government was lying about his true mission overseas. He had traveled out of the country after attending a function in Abuja without any formal announcementfrom the government.
The nature of his trip gave rise to speculations that all might not be well with the governor. The government swiftly issued a statement saying that the governor had embarked on an accumulated leave but did not specify when he would return to the office.
The SEG, which emerged three months after the governor’s absence, claimed that it had evidence that Chime was incapacitated by ill-health accusing the government of beingeconomical with the truth. It therefore put the government to task to disclose the actual health status of the governor just as it challenged the State House of Assembly to make public the letter purportedly written by the governor notifying it of his intention to embark on vacation with a view to determining whether he had overstayed or not.
The speaker of the Assembly, Eugene Odoh, who was in possession of the letter, remainedadamant as he refused to release the letter but when tension heightened following the prolonged absence of the governor, he explained that the governor was enjoying his vacation. According to him, the governor had the right to stay outside his office for as long as he wished because he was duly protected by the constitution.
The SEG not satisfied by the speaker’s position, demanded thata delegation of eminent personalities in the state be constituted to visit the governor wherever he was overseas to ascertain his state of health and determine why he could not resume duty after his vacation.
The demand was strongly condemned by officials of the state government, who accused the group of trying to play politicswith the ailment of the governor even though his media aides continued to maintain that Chime “was hale and hearty.”
Later, the Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi, who has beenacting said Chime duly handed over to him before jetting out of the country and dismissed as falsecomments that he was not in-charge and could not sign any cheque worth more than N500,000.
However, the controversies continued with all segments of Enugu polity attacking and counter-attacking one another until Vanguard interviewed Chimeon January 21 where the governor said he was hale and hearty and would soon return to the country, which he did in style yesterday.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Peter Okoye, Lola Omotayo Welcome Baby Girl In America

Peter Okoye of P-Square has added another addition to his already family of two, which now makes them three. Peter's baby mama, Lola Omotayo gave birth to a baby girl in the United States of America today.
The new baby girl is an addition to their first child, who is a son named Cameron. Lola jetted out of Nigeria to America in late 2012.
Mean while, the child was named Aliona. We cannot confirm at the moment if Peter will arrive Nigeria any time soon with his family from
America.

Lagos can survive without oil revenue allocation – Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said that Lagos is the only state that will be unaffected inthe federation if the oil revenues stopped coming for Nigeria, because 70 percent of its funds is internally generated.
The governor said this at the Sixth Lagos State Taxation Stakeholders Conference. He also stated that residents of Nigeria were living in aparadise compared to other places in the world where taxation is extremely high, noting that he has never passed any tax law since he was elected. While justifying why Nigeria is a tax haven, he noted that the maximum tax levied in Nigeria was 25 percent whereas, it was as high as 52 percent in Spain and Italy.
According to him, the Internal Generated Revenue, IGR, of Lagos has placed the state at an advantage over other states because of the collective effort of the citizens. “If they shut the tap on oil and the oil revenue stops, Lagos State is the only state that can survive without oil. Seventy percent of what we spend is our collective effort in our IGR. It is better to live in a life when you have the destiny of your life in yourhand s and in control, not on a life of lottery where you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. He said.
“People have been criticising me that I am taxing everything available in Lagos, they say I have even started taxing the air. I want everyone to note that I have not passed any tax law since I have been elected as a governor. I only implement the existing laws that I met.
He added: “I have only aggregatedall the local government laws into one law. In 1999 we could not moved waste out of this state. Olorunsogo and Idioro were cut offfrom Lagos because of the waste littering everywhere. Waste didn’t come from heaven, it was from heaven it was from our human activities. It is easier to move the waste in the refuse bag than to move it on the street.
“In the last US election the most paramount issue in the debate between Mitt Romney and President Obama was taxation. Reduction of debts and other economic management all came down to taxes. On both sides the American people could not escape taxes.
The governor also discouraged Millions of Nigerians who go to foreign embassies in search for greener pastures.
“There hundred million people who are the Americans owe the world over 16 trillion dollars and that is where we go and queue up for visa. We should know that we haveall the advantages here in Nigeria.
“On the streets of New York, you will see garbage just as you see here in Lagos. If you go out in NewYork by 4 a.m, you will feel that you are in a city overtaken by refuse. People are supposed to puttheir refuse in the waste bag.
“If we share the responsibility appropriately this state will be cleaner than it is presently. LAWMA is not supposed to sweep the streets, they are meant to clear the waste bags.

Eagles blast Ahmed Musa, Uche

Ahmed Musa and Ikechukwu Uche were rapped by their teammates after Nigeria threw away their leadat the death against Burkna Faso on Monday.
“The players gave both Musa and Uche their piece of mind immediately after the match,” a topofficial informed MTNFootball.com
“They blamed them for the draw because they said they should havetried to play for time rather than go for goal with seconds only left on the clock.
“The best thing for the players to have done in stoppage time with Burkina Faso enjoying the momentum was to try to run down the clock.”
Uche, Eagles leading scorer in the qualifying tournament for the 2013 Nations Cup with three goals, had two good chances to bury the Stallions but his finishing was not clinical.
Some top officials have also blamed the draw with Burkina Fasoto inexperience. Only six players from the final 23-man squad have played at the AFCON before this competition.
They are skipper Joseph Yobo, goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, Elderson Echiejile, Mikel Obi and Ikechukwu Uche.

Man stabs ex-girl friend to death for dumping him

The Aleato family has been thrown into sorrow following the murder oftheir 26-year-old daughter, Onyinyechukwu, last Saturday by her ex-boyfriend in Lagos.
The deceased, a sales girl at Alaba International market, Ojo, was reportedly trailed by her ex-boyfriend, Osita Amanunwa from her Iba new site abode, to Ajangbadi area of Lagos, where she had gone to visit a friend.
Crime Alert gathered that the late Onyin, as she was fondly called, satoutside her host’s compound, exchanging banters, without the slightest inkling that death lurked atthe corner.
Eye witnesses said she turned and suddenly, the smile on her face disappeared. And when her host turned to the direction of her gaze,they discovered that her ex stood opposite them.
Her host who spoke on condition of anonymity, told crime Alert that: “ she greeted him but he hissed and walked away. He later came back and beckoned on her to come. She excused herself and left…”.
Singular response
He paused at this juncture,quivering with fear. That singular response happened to be Onyin’s greatest undoing because unknown to her, Osita had a sinister motive up his sleeves.
This was confirmed moments later,following a desperate shout for help from the isolated meeting point at number 4/5 Abike Ogunlana close, at about 9pm. At first, no one suspected it could be Onyin.
But after waiting for a while, her host decided to check on her, only to see Onyin in the pool of her ownblood with a knife still thrust in her neck. From all indication, it was obvious that she tried to put up a struggle in order to free herself from the assailant’s grip.
She was also discovered to have managed to crawl from the isolatedspot to an open area. But her strength apparently failed her midway, owing to much loss of blood. Unable to crawl further, she stopped, clutching firmly to the earth as if rescue would spring outof it. Osita on the other hand, was nowhere to be found.
Cause of break-up
Crime Alert gathered that before the incident, Osita, a trader at Alaba International market, had on several occasions, threatened to leave an indelible mark on Onyin for dumping him for another man. Investigation revealed that the duohad a romantic relationship that lasted for six years, a relationship that was to lead to marriage until Osita allegedly raped Onyin’s younger sister.

Family sources told Crime Alert thatOyin’s younger sister(names withheld) was sent to deliver a parcel to Osita at his 80 Isiaka street, Iba new site two years ago. However, on reaching his apartment he allegedly raped the teenager who was barely 15 years-old.
It was gathered that the teenager never told anyone about the deed, until she was discovered to be pregnant. She gave birth about a year ago.
Without further warning or advice, Onyinyechukwu, stopped seeing Osita. But her action as gathered, signaled the danger that eventuallyled to her sudden death, following threat from Osita.
Perhaps, had she listened to her parents, this tragedy might not have befallen her. It was gathered that right from the onset, Onyin’s parents kicked against her relationship with 36-year-old Osita who hails from Akere village in Ogbaru local government area of Anambra state.
Her devastated father, Mr Aleato, offered an explanation to the family’s stance: “ My daughter came back home one fateful day with razor marks all over her bodyand when I asked what happened, she told me that she fell down. Butwe were later informed by a friendof hers that her boyfriend, Osita, inflicted the marks on her. I warned her severally to abstain from Osita and every other man who would go to the extent of inflicting such injury on her; men who would not respect her as a woman…”
It was also gathered that Osita hadon several occasions beat Onyin publicly, for calling off the relationship , only to start off with another man, boasting that if he could not have her, nobody else would.
Police on the trail of the assailant
Since the tragic incident, Osita’s whereabouts is unknown. Policemen at Ilemba Hausa were however, said to be on his trail. When Crime Alert visited his apartment at Iba new site, it was discovered that Osita had a wife already. Sources hinted that he rushed home that fateful night and informed some of his friends around the area about what he haddone and thereafter, picked some of his clothes before disappearing into thin air. Out of fear, his close friends were also discovered to have fled, apparently to avoid being arrested by the Police.
The case, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) where operatives at the Homicide section have reportedly began investigation.

I’m alive, will be back – Chime, Enugu gov

FOR the first time since he left the country 135 days ago, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, yesterday, opened up on his condition, saying he is in good health and will soon return to the country.
The governor spoke exclusively to Vanguard while receiving three governors, who visited him in London, United Kingdom where he is recovering after an illness.
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State; Governor Godswill Akpabio of AkwaIbom State and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State who constituted the delegation, separately attested to Chime’s state of well being in telephone interviews with Vanguard . They said Chime was, yesterday, moving about, eating and in good health.
The visit of the governors followed unprecedented speculations on the state of Chime’s health.

I’m very great — Chime
Governor Chime’s declaration cameas the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, rejected a call by prominent citizens of the state under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG) for the House to invoke the Doctrine of Necessity to enthrone the deputy governor of the state, Sunday Onyebuchi as acting governor.
Speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, Chime said: ”I am alive and well, I will be back very, very soon.”
Asked how he felt, the governor in a very strong, cheerful voice said: “I am great, very, very great. Tell Nigerians to discountenance all the rumours about my health.”

Chime is in good shape – Amaechi
Speaking on Chime’s health, Amaechi said: “We saw him in an atmosphere of recovery. We were able to go out with him, he is in good shape and is getting ready to come back home very soon. We thank God for what He has done, how He has helped him to recover.”

He has recovered fully – Suswam
Also speaking, Suswam said: “Chime has been discharged from the hospital. He has recovered fully and is physically okay. I was impressed with what I saw. We walked around together, ate together and he is going about on his own.”

We must desist from wishing our leaders evil – Akpabio
Also speaking on their encounter with Chime, Akpabio said: “He has recovered tremendously, I am veryhappy and I give glory to God. Thisour visit to him and the fact that hewas able to speak with Vanguard has put paid to all the rumours. Nigerians should learn how to pray for their leaders instead of gangingup through NGOs and groups and wishing them evil. We are all human beings. As humans, we can break down anytime which means we should be sympathetic with our leaders when they face challenges whether health wise or security wise. We should pray for them instead of wishing them bad.”

Speaker berates Chime’s critics
Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Eugene Odo, yesterday, faulted the position of the Save Enugu Group (SEG) on Governor Sullivan Chime’s prolonged absence from the state, saying the lawmakers did not in any way violate the Nigerian constitution in their handling of the issue.
Odo, who spoke on the floor of theHouse at the resumption of debates on the state’s 2013 budgetproposal, said by not invoking the Doctrine of Necessity to dislodge Chime on account of his leave, the House had not done anything wrong to warrant any attack as witnessed in the recent past.
The Chief Maxi Okwu-led SEG had in a letter to the Speaker on Monday asked the lawmakers to use the Doctrine of Necessity to empower the acting governor of Enugu state, Sunday Onyebuchi, citing the case of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Gov’s absence is in order – Odo
Countering, Odo said: “We believe that those demanding that do not actually know what the Doctrine of Necessity is all about. Perhaps, people equate Doctrine of Necessity with a mere jamboree phenomenon.”
Insisting that Governor Chime’s absence was in order and should not be compared with that of late President Yar’Adua, the Speaker restated that the governor transmitted a letter to the House before travelling, and “in the letter he empowered his deputy as the acting governor.
“And under the 1999 Constitution, section 190, whenever a governor is travelling and he intends to stay for more than 21 days, he should transmit a letter to the House of Assembly, in which case the deputygovernor now becomes the acting governor, which Sullivan Chime haddone.
“It beats my imagination when some people started to say that the House of Assembly should empower the deputy governor to act. Under our constitution, the power to act has been vested on the deputy governor and the constitution does not provide for double acting capacity as some people are clamouring for.”
Odo explained that the Doctrine of Necessity was applied by the National Assembly in the case of late President Yar’Adua when the president traveled without handing over to the vice president.
He also dismissed the request that certain individuals be empowered to to go and see how the governor was faring overseas.
“That is a mere moral issue. The constitution of Nigeria in Section 189 made it specifically clear that even when the governor is not feeling fine, the only statutory bodythat can generate a resolution to the House of Assembly is the State Executive Council and even in the House of Assembly, the Speaker has a duty to nominate five medicalpractitioners including the governor’s doctor for that purpose.In other words, those listed by the group did not meet the constitutional requirements; none of them is a medical practitioner,” he argued.
The SEG had in its letter to the speaker dated January 21, 2013, demanded an explanation regarding the letter purportedly sent to the lawmakers notifying them of his intention to embark on leave in September last year, stressing that the said letter, if any,ought to have been made public since it was not meant for the speaker’s private perusal.
“We demand to know from you if the said letter was tabled and readat an open session of the House? Ifso, may we be obliged with or referred to a copy of the Hansard where this is reflected. We are alsointerested to know the ground on which the Governor was departing. Was it for a ‘vacation’ or the second arm which is ‘for inability todischarge the functions of his office’? It cannot be for both we humbly submit, as we believe that the ‘or’ makes the clause disjunctive and with different consequences.
“We would wish to inquire from you, if you did write formally to theDeputy Governor intimating him of the said letter and attaching a copyof the letter to enable him immediately begin to function as Acting Governor? This would be theprescribed procedure since we have been advised by constitutionallawyers that a swearing in is not mandatory in this particular circumstance.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, our worry here is that there is more to it than meets the eye in the ‘acting governorship’of Mr. Onyebuchi. We believe that without a formal communication from your office to him, no one in his shoes can take over a state administration on mere hearsay,” the SEG stated in the letter to the speaker signed by its Convener, Okwu.
How the controversies started
On September 19, 2012, exactly 135 days ago, Governor Chime travelled out of the country after transmitting a letter to the House of Assembly that he was proceeding on leave and handing over the reins of authority to his deputy, Onyebuchi.
The governor’s failure to return to office after six weeks sparked controversy, leading to speculationsof ill-health and varied allegations of incapacity. Enugu Commissioner for Information Mr. Chuks Ugwoke,however, repeatedly asserted that due process was followed by the governor in proceeding on what he described as “accumulated vacation.”