Anambra Governorship: INEC declares Obiano winner

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the governorship election in Anambra State. This followed the completion of the supplementary election in the state on Saturday in areas where it did not hold on November 16. Declaring the result, the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. James Epoke, said the APGA candidate scored 180,178 votes to win the election. He said Mr. Tony Nwonye of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Sen. Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 97,700 and 95,963 votes to emerge second and third respectively. Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah of the Labour Party came forth with 37,495 votes and Chief Godwin Ezeemo, candidate of Progressive Peoples Alliance clinched the fifth position with 5,120 votes. Results from INEC showed that of the 1,776,167 registered voters in the state, 465,891 people accredited and total vote cast was 442,242. The results also showed that 16,988 votes were voided and valid votes were 425,254. “To declare a winner, the candidate must score 25 per cent vote in two-third of local government; having satisfied this condition, Chief Willie Obiano is now returned winner, ” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Chief returning officer as saying on Sunday morning.

We didn’t give ASUU ultimatum – Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has weekend, said his government did not give the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, an ultimatum to resume work or be sacked. Fielding questions from newsmen at the expanded caucus meeting of the Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party held at Government House, Yenagoa, the President said, the Supervising Minister of Education only passed on the decision of the Committee of Vice Chancellors. “We didn’t give them ultimatum; it was the Committee of Vice Chancellors that took that decision. The Supervising Minister of Education only passed on the decision.” Jonathan also said the strike embarked upon by the ASUU was no longer a trade dispute , but a subversive action. Jonathan He said, “What ASUU is doing is no longer trade union. I have intervened in other labour issues before now, once I invite them they respond and after the meeting they take decision and call off the strike. “At times we don’t even give them a long notice,unlike, in the case of ASUU that was given four days notice before the meeting. As you are meeting to resolve trade disputes, you expect the trade unions to get their officials ready. “What was expected having met with the highest authorities in the land for long hours, was for ASUU to immediately issue statement within 12 or latest 24 hours , to state their position whether they were accepting government’s offer or not. And if they are not accepting they should state the reason for that.” “But despite the fact that I had the longest meeting with ASUU in my political history, we did not start that meeting until around 2:00pm and the meeting ended the next day in the early hours. As far as the government of Nigeria was concerned, all the critical people that should be in a meeting were there, so what else do they want? “After that they didn’t meet until one week, despite the fact that you met with the highest authority. It was unfortunate one of them, Prof. Iyayi died. “The way ASUU has conducted the matter shows they are extreme and when Iyayi died, they now said the strike was now indefinite, our children have been at home for over five months.”

ASUU LATEST: UNN, ESUT To Resume Activities On Monday, Dec. 2

Representatives of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), declared in separate statements that educational activities there are scheduled to resume on December 2, Monday. In his statement, the Registrar of the UNN, Mr Anthony Okonta, asured that “normal academic activities would resume immediately.” Students who had outstanding examinations for the 2012/2013 session should report to their respective faculties and departments. The ESUT Registrar, Mr Chris Igbokwe, also directed students, academic and non-academic staff to report to the institution on Dec. 2. According to the statement, students are advised to return to their respective campuses as the second semester examination would commence on Monday, Dec. 9. On Thursday, November 28, the Federal Government prompted all federal universities to resume work on or before Dec. 4. The statement, issued by the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr Nyesom Wike, directed the striking members of ASUU to resume work on or before the said date – or consider themselves sacked.

Mourinho Responds To Reports Linking Him With Moves For Martinez & Coentrao

Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports linking him with moves for Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao and Porto striker Jackson Martinez by insisting he’s not looking to buy the pair in January. Reports in Friday morning’s Daily Mail claimed that Mourinho was keen on raiding his former club to bring left-back Coentrao in on-loan for the second half of the season due to concerns over the long-term fitness of Ashley Cole. Cole has only started six games for club and country since picking up a rib injury back in September and Cesar Azpilicueta has been deployed at left-back in recent weeks, leading to speculation Mourinho could be looking to bring in another defender this winter with Coentrao apparently on his radar. However, when asked about the reports linking him with the Portuguese international at his press conference today ahead of Sunday’s clash with Southampton, the Chelsea boss was adamant he didn’t need the 25-year-old’s services. ”No. No. I don’t want Portuguese players. I always had them but, at this moment, it’s enough. ”I don’t have them now. Only Hilario, the remaining one. But we don’t need. We don’t need.” [source: Mirror ] Mourinho has also been linked with a big- money move for Porto striker Jackson Martinez with reports on Thursday claiming that the players agent had been in London this week to hold talks with Blues officials over a potential switch to Stamford Bridge. However, once again Mourinho dismissed these reports and insists he will not be in the market for a striker in January, and will continue until the end of the season with the forwards currently at his disposal. When asked about links with Jackson Martinez, Mourinho said: “It’s not true what I read a couple of days ago, that the agent [of Martinez] was in London meeting with me or with Chelsea directors. It’s not true at all. In the January market we’re not going to buy any striker, so we will go through to the end of the season with Fernando, Samuel and Demba. Nobody goes in. Nobody goes out,” [source: ESPN] Chelsea’s current crop of strikers have struggled this season, so you wouldn’t blame Mourinho if he was looking to bring in another option up front. Fernando Torres was showing signs of getting back to his best before being sidelined by a knee injury, Samuel Eto’o has struggled to make a real impact since joining the club in the summer and has been ruled out for two to three weeks with a muscle injury, while Demba Ba has fallen out-of-favour and has failed to score a single Premier League goals this season. But judging by his comments today, it seems Jose is confident his trio will be good enough to see them through the current campaign. However, I don’t think this will stop the press from speculating as we approach the opening of the winter transfer window.

If you are a Nigerian ‘Go and Die’ – Adams Aliu Oshiomole

I couldn’t help feeling sorry reading about the apology tendered by Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomole as a result of the social media criticism that greeted his directive to a widow in Benin city the Edo State capital when he directed her to ‘go and die’. Unfortunately, I do not feel sorry for the Governor or his team of advisers who must have advised him to swallow his pride and apologize for the statement, but for the widow in particular and the totality of the Nigerian masses in general. Watching the video, one would notice how the woman begged the “Comrade - Governor”, lamenting how she had lost her husband who was a police officer and died while serving the nation. At face value, many Nigerians might not understand the implication of the statement as it relates to the issue, but being a Nigerian who knows what it means to live in a country without water, electricity, affordable and available healthcare, food, safe and reliable transportation systems, social security or stable power supply, I think the governor spoke from his heart and only said the expectation of the nation’s political class. “Go and die” only reflects the condition Nigerians have been put in over the years by our government, and the governor only paraphrases the situation in a statement. Tell me, what better word can reflect the expectations from the demoralizing conditions Nigerians go through every day to make ends meet? When a driver leaves his family in the morning to travel along the Benin – Lagos expressway, what are the chances that he is not going to die? When a University Lecturer travels from Benin to Kano in order to attend a crucial meeting to ensure university students get back to school after 5 months of staying at home, what are the chances he is not going to die by the reckless convoy of the Kogi state Governor? When a policeman says farewell to his wife and children as he goes to serve his country? What are the chances that he doesn’t go to die? Sarcastically, this widow in this situation is probably a widow whose husband death benefits was stolen by “Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina and his gang”, thereby leaving her and her children with nothing to fend for themselves. Haven lost their breadwinner, such a situation alone is a directive to her and her children to “go and die” and the governor only reminded her of the needful. So merely saying those words was an interpretation of a situation and an expectation from his part. It is no news that Nigerians are resilient, hardworking and hopeful even in the mist of total hopelessness. No doubts, we certainly are the happiest people on earth as assumed by some, else, how possible will millions of us live on less than a dollar a day and still smile, tell jokes, play and watch football with so much enthusiasm and Joy? How else will university student be at home for 5 months and not complain? The world decries economic meltdown which has been characterized by suicide attempts and successes by individuals and families in Europe and other parts of the world. Compared to the standard of life in countries like Greece, Italy and Spain where higher rates of suicidal attempts, demonstrations and protest have been the gateway through citizens’ expression of displeasure, Nigerians over the years have found themselves in worse conditions and more frustrating position. But ironically, we never complain demonstration or protest. Where in America will a “John Yesufu Yakubu” be able to steal 32.8 billion and handed a paltry jail term of 2 years or pay N250, 000 as fine? Or former Governors like Lucky Igbenidion milk their states dry there-by subjecting the people to miserable lifestyles and still get fined Edo 3.5 million naira in a plea bargain deal? So for this widow to start complaining or begging Governor Oshiomole, he was probably astonished and could have interpreted that she was tired of being the kind of Nigerian he knew and the political class expects her to be. One can deduce from the governor’s statement that Nigerians have never complained and should never complain or beg no matter the situation or condition. And when we do, we make them angry and they remind us of their expectation in the first place. While commending the governor for being courageous to speak his mind in public, likewise the minds of others like him, I sincerely hope that Nigerians understand better now the relationship between us and our politicians regardless of their political party affiliation. Over the last couple of months following the merger of some opposition political parties to form the APC, we have seen politicians like the Edo state Governor criticized many suggestions, initiatives, policies and actions by the ruling party with the aim to win political points, so if the same gesture is replicated by the ruling party officials on this issue of “Go and die’, I honestly hope it shouldn’t be news-worthy to the ordinary Nigerians on the streets. As I desire that they would publicly wash their dirty linens in the coming days, I also believe we have understood their innermost expectation for us to know that whatever the situation we find ourselves, they all expect us not to complain or beg, but to “go and die” if we can’t cope.

FG Orders Reopening Of Universities, Tells VCs To Sack All Lecturers Who Fail To Resume

Students of government-owned universities might have just been condemned to extended stay out of school as the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over non-implementation of the 2009 agreement seem set to continue owing to the government’s new tactic of threat. The Federal Government had through the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike vowed to sack any lecturer who fails to return to class within seven days, and had directed vice-chancellors of federal universities that are currently on strike to immediately re-open for academic and allied activities. Briefing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, Wike said it was rather unfortunate that after a 13-hour meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on November 4, 2013, the union came up with new conditions before they could call off the strike. According to him, it was obvious that the new conditions put forward by ASUU were not in the interest of the nation, one of which was that President Jonathan should facilitate endorsement of resolutions reached with him, which must be signed by a high ranking government official, preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a permanent secretary. ASUU said their representative as well as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses. The striking lecturers also wanted the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be lodged with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities. They also want the government to pay their salary arrears before resuming academic activities. Wike told newsmen, yesterday that “All Vice- chancellors of Federal Universities that are on strike should immediately reopen for academic and allied activities as directed by their Pro-Chancellors. Vice- Chancellors should ensure that staff who resume for work are provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied activities. “Any academic staff who fails to resume on or before December 4, 2013, automatically ceases to be staff of the institution and vice-chancellors are also directed to advertise vacancies (internal and external) in their institutions”. Wike also accused ASUU of sabotaging the effort of government in addressing the issues especially after having a 13-hour meeting with President Jonathan where all issues were resolved and firm commitments were made. He said: “On November 4, 2013, in a 13 hour meeting, President Goodluck Jonathan met with the ASUU executive, the labour union leaders from Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, where all issues were resolved and firm commitments made to address the lingering issues. “It is noteworthy that Mr. President’s gesture was more than sufficient to guarantee the commitment of Government to address all issues as resolved at the meeting with Mr. President. “At the end of the meeting with Mr. President, the ASUU executive promised to meet with its National Executive Committee to present the resolutions reached and report back by Friday November 8, 2013. “As a responsible government we cannot allow continuous closure of our public universities for this length of time (five months), as this poses danger to the education system, the future of our youths and national development”. The minister therefore directed NUC to ensure all the Federal Government universities comply with the directives saying, “the National Universities Commission, NUC, is hereby directed to monitor the compliance of these directives by various institutions”. Asked whether the directive by the Federal Government to vice chancellors to reopen was not against labour laws, Wike said if there were any grievances they should seek redress in the law court. In its reaction, ASUU however said threat by the Federal Government to sack university lecturers would only worsen the situation and “another long path to make the strike linger more than necessary.” ASUU stated the threat has now made it evident that the Federal Government had no intention of implementing any resolutions it reached with the union. The union’s treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, who spoke on behalf of the union said the Federal Government would only succeed in wasting the time of Nigerians and youths in the country if it failed to perfect the resolutions. ASUU said it was trying to ensure the government was truly committed to the resolutions reached as it had reneged on the promises it made with ASUP, resident doctors, and health workers. The union described the threat as an insult to the sense and sensibilities of Nigerians who were waiting on the Federal Government for positive reaction. “with the latest action, the Federal Government has shown that they are not committed to all they have been saying. “We are saying that since we agreed at the meeting that the sum of N200 billion is for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation, the Federal Government should deposit same in the Central Bank of Nigeria. We are already in November and December is around the corner. “If they don’t do that now, when do they want to do it?. We are saying the non-victimisation clause should be included as agreed while the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement should be included as agreed with the President. “It is a pity if the Federal Government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached with union. This is why we find it difficult to hold our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000. “We are not in military era. The military tried it and failed. This one will fail again. They can re-open the schools. ASUU did not shut down the universities. It was the school management that ordered the students to go back home.” Reacting to the directive in a telephone chat with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Chairman, University of Lagos branch of ASUU, Dr Oghenekaro Ogbinaka, said that the development was strange and laughable. “Our reaction is simple. Let us just wait for the seven days to come around,” he said. “What government has just done shows that they were not committed in the offer they made with the union that had the Trade Union Congress President and the Minister of Labour in attendance. We are not going to fall to that blackmail. Now, which one is better, government acceding to our demands or issuing out threats? “Honestly, this whole thing ought to have been easily resolved, given the approach taken by President (Goodluck) Jonathan, but it is like we want to be taken for granted after all and it is unfair,” he said.

We’re Not Afraid of Sack, Wike Can Go to Motor Park and Recruit Lecturers There – UNIABUJA ASUU

Dr. Clement Chup, the ASUU chairman, UniAbuja Chapter, said the union dared the Federal Government to sack its members over the prolonged universities’ strike. He said this during a telephone interview with Daily Trust in the afternoon of November 28, 2013, Thursday. “The school can go ahead and ask students to resume but we won’t do any work; we won’t teach them. It is not our responsibility to resume until ASUU decides. “We’re not afraid of that (sack). He (Education Minister) can go to the motor park to recruit lecturers that will lecture the students. You can now see the insincerity of some people in government. We told the government when we met that we’re ready to suspend the strike once we’re able to clarify some issues in our agreements with them. But they went ahead without clarifying those issues at stake. We dare them to sack us,” Dr. Clement Chup said. In would be recalled that the statement signed by the University registrar in the morning of November 28, 2013, Thursday, directed UniAbuja students to resume academic activities from December 1, 2013, Sunday.

ASUU Strike To Be Suspended Within 24 Hours

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday said the ongoing strike by university lecturers would be suspended within 24 hours once the new resolutions reached with President Goodluck Jonathan on November 4 were accepted. The union, however, described the statement credited to the Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, that ASUU was making new outrageous demands as “untrue and absolute lie.” The union said it asked President Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and signed by high ranking government official preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a permanent secretary. ASUU said a representative of the body including the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses. The union said it wanted the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be warehoused with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities. ASUU’s position was conveyed by the union National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, while speaking with The Nation in an interview in Ibadan on Wednesday. He said the union appreciated the intervention of President Jonathan but noticed that some of the resolutions reached with the President were not included in the letter sent to the union. According to him, the supervising Minister of Education was economical with the truth by not telling Nigerians that apart from the N30 billion earned allowances released for university staff, the government was yet to release the N100 billion claimed to have been released.

Chancellors Order Universities To Reopen The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities on Tuesday called for the immediate re-opening of all shut down universities across the country.

This is contained in a communiqué signed by the committee’s Chairman, Prof. Kimse Okoko, released in Abuja on Tuesday. The communiqué was issued at the end of the committee’s meeting to discuss the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other issues affecting the Nigerian University System. It stated that the call for the re-opening of the universities was unanimously agreed by all Pro- chancellors in the interest of the country. The communique directed all the Vice-Chancellors to comply with the decision. It commended the efforts by the Federal Government to address the major issues that led to the strike and lauded the personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan in the resolution of the dispute. It also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the referendum conducted in all the branches of ASUU nationwide, which voted 60-40 in favour of the suspension of the ongoing strike. The communique explained that the committee’s decision was based on the negative impact the strike had had on the university system, students and the parents. It, however, appealed for the understanding from the leadership and members of ASUU to ensure speedy restoration of academic activities on campuses

Victor Moses Named Nigerian Footballer Of The Year 2013

Victor Moses has been named the Nigerian Footballer of the Year for 2013 at the sports awards ceremony held in Lagos yesterday in recognition of his recent contributions towards the Super Eagles success. Moses, 22, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea, beat his team mate Mikel Obi to the award after members of the public voted for a three-man shortlist that included the two of them and Sunday Mba. Mikel, however, was voted Nigerian Sportsman of the Year, while former Super Falcons striker Perpetua Nwokocha was named Female Footballer of the Year. At the elaborate ceremony which held at the Muson Centre in Onikan in Lagos, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, picked up the Nigerian Coach of the Year Award. Nigerian Football Federation president Alhaji Aminu Maigari, was named Sports Administrator of the Year, while Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State won the Sports Governor of the Year Award. Sprinter and long jump queen Blessing Okagbare won the Track and Field Star of the Year award while junior athlete Divine Oduduru won the Discovery of the Year Award. Portugal-based table tennis star Aruna Quadri won the Sports Personality of the Year Award, beating Olumide Oyedeji and Ike Diogu of the Nigerian basketball team De Tigers. Blessing Okagbare also won the Sports Woman of the Year Award in recognition of her heroics at this year's World athletics Championships.

Tiwa Savage And Husband 'Tee Billz' Spent N30-Million For Their Traditional Wedding [Read Full Report]

Together forever: One word that best describes Tiwa Savage’s marriage is ‘Magical’. Photo: Shola Animashaun The traditional wedding ceremony of popular singer, Tiwa Savage and her manager/hubby, Tunji ‘Tee-Billz’ Balogun may have gulped nothing less than N30m, by NET’s calculation. On Saturday, November 23, 2013, the Ark Vicinity , Lekki, Lagos venue of the wedding was like a carnival of some sort as family, friends and colleagues of the couple showed up to celebrate their union. Weeks ago, When Tee-Billz mentioned in an interview that he was planning for a small wedding, he either did not envisage the wide publicity and high budget that was to follow or he was just being deniably modest with the plans because as it turned out, apart from being the talk of the town in the last one week, the wedding now records as one of the most star-studded weddings in recent times. Starting with the invitation cards, looking at the design and artwork, one would know that a lot of money must have been put into the design and duplication. For Tiwa’s personality and status in the society, there’s no doubt that the couple would have been looking at over a thousand guests. The Fuchsia and gold coloured invitation card came with small access cards for entry into the venue, all packed in a beautifully designed paper bag. 500 pieces of the package costing an average of N5000 each amounts to N2.5million. Courier company, Compton Green Express delivered the bag to the guests, and that’s a service that the couple would have had to pay for too. Except for a few glitches, it was a well- organized wedding by the bespoke wedding design and planning outfit, The Wedding Company . This was the same company that handled musician Darey Art Alade’s wedding to wife Deola as well as Basketmouth’s wedding to Elsie . A former client of the company tells NET that the company’s fee is related to the details and how classy the clients wants it. For Tiwa/Tee-Billz, putting down a staggering figure of N6million to achieve a memorable day wasn’t a problem at all. Although the official wedding colours were fuchsia and gold, most of the hall was beautifully lit with white and orange. Uche Majekodunmi’s Newton and David were hired to do the decorations of the hall. The award winning event design and décor company were paid N2m for tuning up the ambience of the hall. The venue of the wedding, Ark Vicinity in Lekki, Lagos is fast becoming one of the most patronized event centres in Lagos. This was the same venue where Peter Okoye of Psquare wedded his wife Lola Omotayo just the previous week. With its proximity to a 5-Star hotel, Vantage Hotel and the exquisite Lekki Beach, insiders claim a day’s rent of the venue could go for up to N3.5million depending on the negotiation. It may amaze you to know that the beautiful white and creamy Tiwa/Tee-Billz wedding cake costs well over N2m. Outrageous, right? Welcome to the world of celebrity cake makers. There was more than enough to eat and drink. The main company responsible for providing the varieties of delicacies was Morenike Okupe’s Malas Foods Catering Services and then there were other small companies that provided the cannapes, ice creams and barbecues. All sorts of drinks were available, from soft drinks, to beer, spirits, wines, to champagnes; all totaling up to N5m with food inclusive. Unlike other traditions, the ceremonial gifts in the Yoruba tradition is usually not so expensive. The family brought a lot of food stuff which included tubers of yam, plantain, garri, etc. Boxes of clothing items were also presented amongst others; all of these totaling up to N800, 000 including the bride price which was not disclosed. When King Sunny Ade and his band come to play, you know there’s no dull moment. As the main entertainer for the occasion, the Juju musician serenaded the guests as well as the couple. Let’s not forget comedian/MC who held down the occasion for up to eight hours. Although sources suggest the services of KSA and Seyi Law may have been complimentary or greatly discounted, on a normal day their charges could amount to about N5million and N1million respectively. Through the course of the entire wedding, the couple had a change of clothes three different times. Not only did they change clothes, shoes and accessories were also changed. Parents, family and close friends were also catered for as they almost all dressed uniformly in the gold-coloured lace aso- ebi. The clothing items on the couple, parents and family, may well cost between a million to 1.5million, accessories inclusive. Private security company, ‘ Bold Events’ were in charge at the venue. While some were at the doors and gates fully dressed with military-type gears and gadgets, a few were however dressed in black suits and dark shades, protecting the couple from undesired guests and photographers alike. The cost of security from the company could be up to N500k. The marriage procession The ceremony began with the traditional wedding rite as both families were ushered into the smaller hall of the venue at a few minutes past 11am. Both families sat opposite each other with that of the groom sitting to the left and the bride to the right. After the introduction of both families by the wedding engager who is known as ‘Alaga’ in Yoruba, the groom’s family handed a letter to the bride’s family officially asking for their daughter’s hand in marriage which the bride’s family accepted. Soon after, the groom was ushered into the hall accompanied his friends, which included Don Jazzy, Banky W and Darey Art Alade. Tunji entered the hall dressed in a white traditional attire (‘agbada’ laced on buba and sokoto) with white cap to match. He and his group of friends prostrated before the bride’s family as a show of respect. Finally the bride, dressed in silver coloured Aso-Oke with a headgear of same colour to match was ushered into the hall. She was accompanied by her friends, which included Karen Igho and singer Essence. After a few more rites, the couple were joined together, prayed for and blessed by both families. Journalists and pressmen barred from the main hall Security officials from Bold Events company and soldiers stationed at the venue refused to allow journalists with video and photo cameras into the premises despite showing up with their invitation and access cards. The security explained to be acting under instruction since exclusive coverage rights had been sold to a prominent media house. General Pype arrives with child covered up Dance hall artiste General Pipe came with his wife and few months old baby. The ‘Champion’ singer wrapped the baby in ‘Michael Jackson blanket style’ in a bid to stop the press from taking shots of the baby. Reign of exotic cars The parking lot was almost like the venue of a car show as the invited guests came in different brands of classy and exotic cars. The Mavin crew led by Don Jazzy came in a Bentley, Escalade and a Carrera S sport car. Dayo ‘D1’ Adeneye came in his Bentley with a customized number and Florence Ita-Giwa was driven to the venue in wine coloured Bentley. There were also eye-popping cars like Ferrari, Range Sports, G Wagons and lots of other expensive automobiles. Tiwa’s dad wasn’t happy with the course of wedding Tiwa Savage’s father appeared not to be happy with the course of the wedding. Our correspondent caught him complaining to a member of his family how the groom’s family seems to have hijacked the whole ceremony. His anger was further expressed as he went round asking some of the guests from the grooms side to move from their tables and to look for seats elsewhere. Femi Otedola’s daughter took the turntables UK based Celebrity DJ, Producer and songwriter DJ Cuppy (Florence Otedola), daughter of Billionaire Femi Otedola was also on deck to spin on the turn tables. After enjoying mixes by DJ Xclusive, the female DJ was invited to the turntables to do her thing. Performances Apart from King Sunny Ade who was the main entertainer for the event, a few of the artistes who were also present were given a few minutes to do their thing. Being called up on stage, the artistes all mounted the stage and performed in a single row, one after the other. First up were Dr SID and Don Jazzy, and thenBanky W, Iyanya, Lynxxx, Davido, Chuddy K and finally Seyi Shay. Tiwa and T-Billz’s love story Tiwa and T-Billz certainly share lot of history together. The two met in the US and established a working relationship where T-Billz functioned as Tiwa’s manager. Together they established their label, 323 Entertainment and began the journey back home to make a name in the Nigerian music industry. In what started as a rumour and several denials, their relationship suddenly took a dramatic twist when T-Billz formally proposed on Tiwa’s 34th birthday on February 5, 2013. NET investigations reveal that the white wedding ceremony which is expected to hold in early 2014 in The Maldives an island off the coast of the Indian Ocean. Roll Call Don Jazzy, Banky W, Dr SID and fiancée Simi Osomo, Iyanya, Tekno, Waje, Davido, Sasha P, DJ Jimmy JATT, DJ Xclusive, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Toke Makinwa, Kaylah Oniwo, Fade Ogunro, Psquare wives Lola Omotayo, Anita Isama, Ali Baba, Julius Agwu, Seyi Law, Agbani Darego, Rita Dominic, Funke Akindele, Jane Michele, Kaylah Oniwo, Niyola, Michelle Dede, Lamii Philips, Kaffy, Zaina, Elohor Aisien, Nicole Chikwe, Yvonne Nwosu, Tee-Y Mix, Ayo Animashaun, Eva Alordiah, Toyin Lawani, Tola Odunsi, Toolz, Ali Baba, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Ebuka Obi- Uchendu, Segun Demuren, Omawumi, Emma Nyra, Linda Ikeji, Toju Foyeh, Jumai Shaba, Juliet Ibrahim, Mai Atafo, Olamide, Olisa Adibau, Freeze, Bridget Awosika, Eku Edewor, Chris the Razor, Susan Peters, Saeon, Femi Otedola, Otedola’s daughter DJ Cuppy, Lynxxx, Uti Nwachukwu, Iceberg Slim, Dammy Krane, General Pype, Seyi Shay, Karen Igho, Essence, Dayo D1 Adeneye, Kenny Ogungbe, Florence Ita-Giwa, Ayo Badmus, Teeto Cemos, Denrele Edun, Kola Oyeyemi, Eniola Badmus, Princess, ID Cabasa. Absentees Psquare, D’banj, Wizkid, Wande Coal, Naeto C, Timaya, M.I, Ice Prince, Flavour and Sinzu. Table of cost by NET calculation Amount (N) Wedding planner 6m The bride price and Ceremonial gift 800k Clothing items 1.5m Wedding invitation cards + delivery 3m Food and refreshment 5m Event venue 3.5m Decorations 2m King Sunny Ade’s performance fee 5m MC’s fee 1m Security 500k Cake 2m

Manchester City Set To Sign Nigerian U-17 Best Player, Kelechi Iheanacho

Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho will sign a deal with Manchester City, according to the player's father. Iheanacho was named the best player at November's Under-17s World Cup after scoring six goals, including one in the final, as his country triumphed in the United Arab Emirates. He has since been linked in his homeland with moves to Porto and Chelsea but his father, James, claims that the Etihad Stadium will be his next destination. "As I am talking to you, I have chosen in my mind that Kelechi is going to Manchester United," he told SuperSport's 'Monday Night Football', before appearing to correct himself by saying: "I have told you that he is going to Manchester City." Iheanacho senior later confirmed to MTNFootball.com that the player's family made a joint decision on where he would go in a meeting on Monday night. "We prayed [on Monday] and, after due consultations with family members, we came up with Manchester City, believing he has a future there," he explained. "That is where he will be uplifted." The young striker had been declared missing by his father on Friday after he had left his home in Owerri without alerting his family but returned early on Monday morning before a decision on his future was made. James has been integral in his son's fledgling career, with rumours that he had valued the starlet at €1 million (£840,000), though he denied those claims, declaring: "No, those people are my enemies. I never said that."

You Are Dying Slowly… Tonto Dikeh Tells Linda Ikeji Blog Boss Via Twitter

The Nigerian entertainment scene is really getting heated up with a lot of unsavory comments coming straight out of the mouth of celebrities. Popular blogger Linda Ikeji made the mistake of putting up a Facebook comment allegedly written by Tonto Dikeh on her blog which earned her the tongue lashing of her life.Tonto Dikeh came out to say the Facebook account that posted the status is fake but at the same time, taking a swipe at Nigeria’s biggest entertainment blogger. Tonto Dikeh was so angry her tweets were filled with typographical errors. Infact we had to edit it. Check them out below: “Wen willll u grow up n learn?? Wen really wld u eva b happy enough 2 ignore d hate u feel inside? U re sufferin n I feel Bad 4 u but am Prayin 4U” “U choose not to write abt ma success,fuckin big deal but u Reduce n embarrazz ursef by pickin Fake new from fake Account,U re dyin slowly” “Itz painful coz I c d amount of effort u putting into diz but all Am akin u Iz Aint u seeing d Way All d bulletz fall down??? Y FOOL U,Bye*“. My own view? Choi Poko must be very wicked... Hahahaha

Kanye Bans Kim From Having Cosmetic Surgery, Her Mum Kris To Have No Say In Their Marriage!

Kanye West has reportedly banned Kim Kardashian from undergoing cosmetic surgery, according to their pre-nuptial agreement. According to Heat Magazine, Kanye - whose mother Donda tragically died from surgery complications after a breast reduction and liposuction in 2007 - is having a clause written into their pre- nuptial agreement stating that Kim will have to pay a reported $500,000 if she has any work done. He is said to have warned her their wedding is off if she goes under the knife before their big day after discovering an email from a surgeon about secret plans for surgery. Another wonderful clause reportedly in their pre-nup limits the control Kanye's future mother-in-law, Kris Jenner, will have in Kim and Kanye's marriage. The insider explained to heat magazine: ''Kanye's also inserted a mother-in-law clause which means Kris will have no say in decisions which affect them as a couple. Even work ones. 'The pair will also have to pay financial penalties if one of them cheats on the other, though insiders insist this is a ''standard'' clause. The source added: ''There's also an infidelity clause like Khloe and Lamar had, which states they would receive $250,000 if the other person cheats, and a drug clause stating both would be subject to random drug testing at the other's wishes. It's standard - they're just planning for every eventuality.''

Boy, 12, Rapes Younger Sister After Watching P*rn On The Internet

A 12-year-old boy has been sentenced after he tried to re-enact scenes from a p*rn film he watched on the internet by raping his younger sister. According to Dailymail, the schoolboy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, searched for hardcore films on the internet with a classmate - then went home to practise what he had seen on his younger sister who was under the age of 10. He shares a bedroom with his younger sister. Their parents discovered what was going on when the scared little girl confided to a relative that her brother had touched her. The boy was questioned by another family member and he admitted having urges he could not control. He knew what he was doing was wrong and the sexual abuse had been going on for a year. The boy was charged to court where he admitted to three charges of rape, and was sentenced to a three-year youth rehabilitation order.

Happy Belated 31st Birthday To DonJazzy!

Nigerian Multi award-winning record producer, singer-songwriter, musician, biggest boss Michael Collins Ajereh aka DonJazzy was 31 yesterday! This is wishing him so much more happiness in the years to come.

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: Photos: US rapper Wale finally in Nigeria

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: Photos: US rapper Wale finally in Nigeria

Asari Dokubo arrested in Benin Republic

Today, Tuesday, November 26, 2013, my friend and client, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, around the hours of 1:00pm and 2:00pm by the country’s gendarmes (Police Force). He was picked up around the Lubeleyi roundabout and taken to an unknown destination. We want to emphasise that Alhaji Dokubo- Asari carries on legitimate business and has been living partly in Benin Republic for many years now. In fact, he owns houses, schools and an academy in that country. All these places have been searched as at this evening and nothing incriminating was found. We think his arrest and detention is a ploy by certain forces in Nigeria in unholy alliance with the Beninoise government to keep him away as 2015 approaches. We call on the Nigerian government to immediately intervene and ensure that no harm befalls Alhaji Dokubo-Asari and to use all diplomatic means to secure his immediate release and safe return to Nigeria. Meanwhile, we shall be liaising immediately with our colleagues in that country to enforce his fundamental rights.

Mysterious healing river appears in Enugu state

Biko have you people heard of the River with healing powers that mysteriously appeared in a community in Enugu State? Well, now you have heard, so grab a can and head down there or go for a swim while offer lasts...:-). OK, let's get serious! A River with 'healing powers' (according to the people of the community) mysteriously appeared in a community in Enugu State called Nachi, in Udi LGA. The river, now called Orimiri Jordan (River Jordan) was first seen on Nov. 11th. Continue.. According to reports, a Fulani Herdsmen first spotted the river and ran to people in the community to alert them of the discovery. He told them that as he passed the area with his herd of cattle, he heard a strange noise, and when he turned back, he saw the river that wasn't there previously. The community went to look for themselves and discovered that the water has healing powers. But the traditional ruler of Nachi community said something slightly different. He said the river appears every 20 to 30 years but dries up after a few weeks so it wasn't anything new. An elder in the community explained: “We noticed that after some years, the water will form a stream there and would disappear in few weeks. If such happens, we will be fetching water there. However, women who are menstruating and evil people don’t go there. We never heard about healing power of the River until this recent appearance of the River. “The last time it appeared was in 1992, and at that time, it just formed a small stream, which later disappeared. It has never been as large as this. This is all I know, we have never known about its healing power, this is the first time we are hearing about healing, I don’t whether it is true”. Meanwhile, Okada people are already making money from this as they charge passengers between N500 to N1,000 to transport them from a junction to the Healing River as hundreds visit the place every day to get some of the water which quite a lot of people testify has healing powers.

Comedian Julius Agwu sues Etisalat for N100m over blocked line

Comedian Julius Agwu has dragged telecoms giant Etisalat to court for blocking his business line. He is demanding for N100million as compensation for jobs lost, contact lost, for the inconveniences, and for being mistreated by Etisalat staff. Below is a statement from his lawyer, Festus Keyamo... We are solicitors to Mr. Julius Agwu, one of Nigeria's most sought after entertainers (hereinafter referred to as "our client") and on whose behalf we write. Our client is the owner of the Etisalat GSM phone number 08189555555, which he uses as his business line. On the 8th of October, 2013, our client travelled out of the country and returned on the 17th of the same month. Upon his return, he tried severally to make calls from the aforestated GSM line but same could not connect. Not only could he not make calls, he also could not receive calls on the said GSM line. This continued for some days until he got a message that his line had been blocked by the network provider. Sequel to the above message, our client promptly visited your Abuja office at Hilton to report the matter. He was attended to by one Miss Joan, who informed him that somebody swapped his line. After our client successfully answered the security questions put to him, he was informed that his line had been restored, but the credit balance on the line was not returned. Surprisingly, our client's aforestated line was blocked again after he left your said Abuja office. Once again our client visited your office at the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos to lodge a complaint, but painfully, nothing was done about it. However, after sometime, our client was invited for a meeting at your head office in Lagos on the 14th of November, 2013 which he duly honoured. Present at the meeting (in addition to the officials of your organization) was Mr. Mobolaji Okusaga, the Managing Director of The Quadrant Company, in his capacity as media agents/managers for Etisalat Nigeria. At the end of the meeting, our client was told for the umpteenth time that they would get back to him, which they again failed to do. LOSS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES It cannot be over emphasized that your actions of unlawfully blocking and/or swapping our client's line occasioned loss of business opportunities to him. As you are aware, our client as one of the most sought after Nigerian entertainers needs his phone line to be easily accessible to keep his business going. It therefore goes without saying that our client has lost some business opportunities as a result of your actions. TAKE NOTICE that we have our client's firm instruction to demand and hereby demand the sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) as compensation for the loss of business opportunities and the inconvenience caused our client by reason of your unlawful and unjustified blocking and/or swapping of our client's Etisalat GSM phone line. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in the event that you fail, refuse or neglect to accede to our above stated demand within seven (7) days from the receipt of this letter, we shall be compelled to set in motion against you, all legal machineries necessary to obtain legal remedy for our client.

It's official! BBA contestants Beverly Osu and Bimp are a couple!

Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: It's official! BBA contestants Beverly Osu and Bimp are a couple!

The Union, however, described the statement credited to Supervising Minister and Minister of Education, Barr Nyesom Wike, that ASUU was making new outrageous demands as “untrue and absolute lie”. ASUU’s position was made known by the National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, in an interview with The Nation in Ibadan on Wednesday. The Union said it asked Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and signed by high ranking government official preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a Permanent Secretary. ASUU said their representative of the body, including the President of Nigeria Labour Congress,Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses. Aremu also said the striking lecturers wanted the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be warehoused with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities. He noted that ASUU appreciated the intervention of the President, but then added that some of the resolutions reached with Jonathan were not included in the letter sent to the Union. According to him, the supervising Minister of Education forgot to mention that apart from the N30 billion earned allowances released for university staff, the FG was yet to release N100 billion claimed to have been released. their conditions. These are the payment of four months salaries, which accumulated during the period of the strike; immediate implementation of the N1.2 trillion offered by the FG to public universities, starting with the release of N100 billion this year; and the balance of N1.1 trillion to be spread over five years from 2014. The union also demanded that the salary arrears must not be paid in piecemeal. READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/52905.html It will be recalled that President Jonathan met with the ASUU on November 4. The marathon-like meeting lasted for 13 hours but did not put an end to the Union’s industrial action. The Union has embarked on an indefinite strike on July 1, 2013, protesting against an alleged FG’s failure to honor an agreement signed between the FG and ASUU in 2009. Part of the agreement dwelt on funding of universities where both parties agreed that each federal university should get at least N1.5 trillion between 2009 and 2011 while state universities, within the same period, should receive N3.6 million per student.

The Union, however, described the statement credited to Supervising Minister and Minister of Education, Barr Nyesom Wike, that ASUU was making new outrageous demands as “untrue and absolute lie”. ASUU’s position was made known by the National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, in an interview with The Nation in Ibadan on Wednesday. The Union said it asked Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and signed by high ranking government official preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a Permanent Secretary. ASUU said their representative of the body, including the President of Nigeria Labour Congress,Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses. Aremu also said the striking lecturers wanted the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be warehoused with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities. He noted that ASUU appreciated the intervention of the President, but then added that some of the resolutions reached with Jonathan were not included in the letter sent to the Union. According to him, the supervising Minister of Education forgot to mention that apart from the N30 billion earned allowances released for university staff, the FG was yet to release N100 billion claimed to have been released. their conditions. These are the payment of four months salaries, which accumulated during the period of the strike; immediate implementation of the N1.2 trillion offered by the FG to public universities, starting with the release of N100 billion this year; and the balance of N1.1 trillion to be spread over five years from 2014. The union also demanded that the salary arrears must not be paid in piecemeal. READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/52905.html It will be recalled that President Jonathan met with the ASUU on November 4. The marathon-like meeting lasted for 13 hours but did not put an end to the Union’s industrial action. The Union has embarked on an indefinite strike on July 1, 2013, protesting against an alleged FG’s failure to honor an agreement signed between the FG and ASUU in 2009. Part of the agreement dwelt on funding of universities where both parties agreed that each federal university should get at least N1.5 trillion between 2009 and 2011 while state universities, within the same period, should receive N3.6 million per student.

The Union, however, described the statement credited to Supervising Minister and Minister of Education, Barr Nyesom Wike, that ASUU was making new outrageous demands as “untrue and absolute lie”. ASUU’s position was made known by the National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, in an interview with The Nation in Ibadan on Wednesday. The Union said it asked Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and signed by high ranking government official preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a Permanent Secretary. ASUU said their representative of the body, including the President of Nigeria Labour Congress,Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses. Aremu also said the striking lecturers wanted the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be warehoused with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities. He noted that ASUU appreciated the intervention of the President, but then added that some of the resolutions reached with Jonathan were not included in the letter sent to the Union. According to him, the supervising Minister of Education forgot to mention that apart from the N30 billion earned allowances released for university staff, the FG was yet to release N100 billion claimed to have been released. their conditions. These are the payment of four months salaries, which accumulated during the period of the strike; immediate implementation of the N1.2 trillion offered by the FG to public universities, starting with the release of N100 billion this year; and the balance of N1.1 trillion to be spread over five years from 2014. The union also demanded that the salary arrears must not be paid in piecemeal. READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/52905.html It will be recalled that President Jonathan met with the ASUU on November 4. The marathon-like meeting lasted for 13 hours but did not put an end to the Union’s industrial action. The Union has embarked on an indefinite strike on July 1, 2013, protesting against an alleged FG’s failure to honor an agreement signed between the FG and ASUU in 2009. Part of the agreement dwelt on funding of universities where both parties agreed that each federal university should get at least N1.5 trillion between 2009 and 2011 while state universities, within the same period, should receive N3.6 million per student.

BREAKING: ASUU May Suspend Strike Within 24 Hours

The Union, however, described the statement credited to Supervising Minister and Minister of Education, Barr Nyesom Wike, that ASUU was making new outrageous demands as “untrue and absolute lie”. ASUU’s position was made known by the National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, in an interview with The Nation in Ibadan on Wednesday. The Union said it asked Jonathan to facilitate the endorsement of resolutions reached with him and signed by high ranking government official preferably the Attorney-General of the Federation but not a Permanent Secretary. ASUU said their representative of the body, including the President of Nigeria Labour Congress,Abdulwahid Omar, would stand as witnesses. Aremu also said the striking lecturers wanted the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalisation fund for public universities to be warehoused with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities. He noted that ASUU appreciated the intervention of the President, but then added that some of the resolutions reached with Jonathan were not included in the letter sent to the Union. According to him, the supervising Minister of Education forgot to mention that apart from the N30 billion earned allowances released for university staff, the FG was yet to release N100 billion claimed to have been released. their conditions. These are the payment of four months salaries, which accumulated during the period of the strike; immediate implementation of the N1.2 trillion offered by the FG to public universities, starting with the release of N100 billion this year; and the balance of N1.1 trillion to be spread over five years from 2014. The union also demanded that the salary arrears must not be paid in piecemeal. READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/52905.html It will be recalled that President Jonathan met with the ASUU on November 4. The marathon-like meeting lasted for 13 hours but did not put an end to the Union’s industrial action. The Union has embarked on an indefinite strike on July 1, 2013, protesting against an alleged FG’s failure to honor an agreement signed between the FG and ASUU in 2009. Part of the agreement dwelt on funding of universities where both parties agreed that each federal university should get at least N1.5 trillion between 2009 and 2011 while state universities, within the same period, should receive N3.6 million per student.

Be wary of people like Akpabio, Nyako tells Jonathan

North The seven aggrieved governors of the People’s Democratic Party, yesterday faulted Governor Godswill Akpabio over his claim that the governors could face possible rebellion from their followers if they moved to the All Progressive Congress. Akpabio told state House corespondents in Abuja after an official engagement with President Jonathan that it was wrong for the rebel governors to threaten to leave the PDP for another party without showing respect to the President. Akpabio said, “I believe that you cannot be a good leader unless you’re a good follower and I believe also strongly that leadership comes from God. So the question of rebelling against leadership does not occur because if I rebel against the leadership at the federal level, I should expect somebody also to rebel against my leadership at the state level, maybe from my own local government or thereabouts. “And it is expected that as a governor state, I should be expected respect the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So it is not important who occupies the position. I think what is important is to give respect to the institution of the presidency in Nigeria. And that way, the international community can respect also Nigeria. “I don’t see a problem in the issues of certain politicians wanting to change party, it is a normal thing in politics that people move from one political party to the other. ” But what is important is that we move on and the country moves on. And as PDP is very big and robust enough, with its branches in 774 local government areas in Nigeria, if you have five persons moving awY from PDP, you have 10 to 50 moving into PDP. “You know, there are so many APC members who are approaching me on a daily basis that they want to move into PDP but I keep telling them that it is not yet time, let us resolve this issue of G-7 governors and then you see the big fishes that will come out of the APC. They are ready to come out and when they come out, it is going to be a boom. It something that the entire country will shout. But the G-7 governors said the declaration by Akpabio, who is the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, amounted to an incitement of Nigerians against them and asked Mr. President to take note of the statement. The governors, who spoke through the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, noted with dismay the declaration of war on them by Akpabio and wondered who made him lord over them. Nyako said, “Mr. President should be wary of people like Akpabio who wants to chase away other Nigerians from him so that he alone would be seen as a loyalist. “Mr. President should note the outburst by the Akwa Ibom governor and call him to order before he causes more people who would have been of help to him to ditch him,” Nyako said. The governors restated their aversion to the leadership of the PDP, saying that what the party has been doing amounted to a disservice to the members and Nigerians. “PDP as presently constituted does not promote justice and equity but constitutes a major setback to democracy. Indeed, the current PDP can best be described as the enemy of democracy. “The leadership started by substituting its Anambra governorship candidates’ names in Abuja and ended disowning it’d candidate even after INEC had owned up to a dismal election that was seriously sabotaged. The PDP has lost its voice in democracy and now constitutes an enemy of what is just and honest,” the governors noted.

G-7 governors dump PDP for APC

The New Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday formally merged with the All Progressives Congress. Also, the aggrieved seven governors of the PDP have joined the APC. A statement to this effect was read by the National Chairman of the nPDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, after talks between the faction and APC leaders. The statement was signed by the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Baraje. The statement reads: “A meeting of the leadership of APC and the New PDP met this morning at the residence of the Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja. “After exhaustive deliberations, the two parties agreed to merge in order to rescue our fledgling democracy.

Start writing your handover notes, G7, Baraje group tell Jonathan

THE defunct Abubakar Kawu Baraje led splinter group of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which prior to Tuesday had in its fold, the G7 governors, asked President Goodluck Jonathan to start writing his handover notes ahead of the 2015 Presidential election. According to the group in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, joining the All Progrsssive Congress, APC, the opposition party was now the majority party in the country while it said it tagged PDP as a minority party, adding, “In the circumstances, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan must now start writing his handover notes because his ambition to maouevre the party structures so as to get a third term in office in 2015 has suddenly collapsed. On dumping the PDP, Eze said, “Now, we have reached the stage that we can only say: “PDP, your sinking ship has been abandoned to you! You brought this misfortune upon yourself, now you must bear it alone!” “As for us, we are happy to belong to the APC, where our value is appreciated, where we are made to feel truly wanted, and where we can now join forces with like minds in our struggle to liberate Nigeria from PDP’s misrule, which is soon to end.” Recalling what happened on Tuesday at Kano Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, Eze said, “Late this morning, at about 11:46, the National Chairman of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, formally announced the merger of the party with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The merger was contained in a communiqué which Alhaji Baraje read to journalists at the end of a meeting between the leadership of New PDP and that of the APC held at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. The communiqué signed by Bisi Akande the APC National Chairman and Kawu Abubakar Baraje the National Chairman of NPDP reads, “A meeting of the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, and the new PDP met this morning at the residence of the Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in Abuja and after exhaustive deliberations the two parties agreed to merge in order to rescue our fledgling democracy and the nation. “With this development, the G7 Governors of New PDP, namely, Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), are now members of the APC. The merger thus shoots up the number of APC State Governors to 18 while PDP’s shrinks to 16, with All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party having one governor each. A similar permutation exists in the National Assembly where we now have the majority with PDP and its allies in minority.

ASUU’s demands outrageous, says minister

University teachers are seeking audience with President Goodluck Jonathan. They delivered yesterday a letter containing the request to the Supervising Minister for Education, Chief. Nyesom Wike. Also, top leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), led by National President, Dr. Nasir Issa Fagge, converged yesterday on Abuja for the last stage of discussions with the Federal Government. The leaders were awaiting the President’s invitation on the three conditions they tabled for the almost five -month strike to be called off. The conditions are: • commitment from the President that any review or reconsideration or renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement will not substantially affect the Agreement which is the cause of the ongoing strike; • immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears and allowances of varsity teachers without victimisation; and •a written commitment from the President that the Federal Government will commit N225billion annually to the funding of universities for the next four years. ASUU’s letter was delivered to the Minister through its Liaison Officer in Abuja. But the minister has described the demand as outrageous. Wike said: “I will have to see Mr. President to see how the government can go about this development, which is not favourable. It is outrageous. ASUU is now making fresh demands and this will definitely need further discussion.” In the letter, the union demanded that it would want the last tranche of the negotiation with the Federal Government to be witnessed by President of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) Abduwaheed Omar and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN). A top source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said ASUU leaders were determined to see that any agreement with the Federal Government has legal binding. The source said: “ASUU leaders are not ready to take anything for granted this time around; every clause in whatever is agreed upon will have legal effect on the two parties. “This is why ASUU leaders have asked for the NLC President and the AGF to be present. They do not want a situation where the government will deny such agreement in the near future. “It was amazing how the government had been faulting the 2009 Agreement, which it was part of. This shows that ASUU must be extremely careful.” There were indications also that the Federal Government was also firming up its position on the conditions set by ASUU. A Presidency source said: “The government is also weighing options on the demands of ASUU especially the aspects relating to financial commitment. “You know, what the government spends has to depend on what it earns. If there is a binding financial commitment and there is global recession in the oil industry, will government now look for money at all cost? “This is one grey area of the pending agreement on which the two parties must reach a compromise.” A source close to ASUU however said varsity students may stay at home till next year when the government will be ready to meet the union’s demand. The source said the government’s plan is to deceive ASUU into calling off the strike and still not implement the 2009 agreement. “ASUU will not chicken out of its fight. The death of Iyayi has further deepened our resolve to ensure that government implements the 2009 agreement. This fight is for the university community and not for ASUU. Many people are insinuating that we are fighting for the 2009 to be implemented to favour ASUU. They can say whatever they like that will not deter us. ”Government knows what to do. But people in the same government are mismanaging public funds which can be used to implement the said FG/ASUU agreement. Many of us at the ASUU session at Mambayya House in Kano resolved that government must meet the 2009 agreement.” Wike yesterday condemned new conditions which the union insists must be met before a truce could be achieved. Wike spoke during his meeting with Commissioners of Education in Abuja. He confirmed that ASUU had given new conditions to call off the strike. The Minister at the meeting with the commissioners assured them of the readiness of the Federal Government to support state governments in the development of education.

Mourinho asks Chelsea to show killer instinct

BASEL (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has called on his Chelsea stars to show their killer instinct as the Blues look to clinch qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League at Basel on Tuesday. Mourinho’s team can guarantee their place in the knock-out stages with a draw in Switzerland, while a victory would ensure they are certain to finish top of Group E ahead of their final fixture against Steaua Bucharest. That clash with Steaua comes in the middle of a busy December for Chelsea and Mourinho would prefer to be able to rest players when the Romanians visit Stamford Bridge. With that in mind, Mourinho on Monday challenged his players to show they can finish off Basel, who are four points behind Chelsea in third place. “It’s a period I like,” Mourinho said of the hectic fixture December schedule. “It’s a period where I think only the braves can survive because it’s hard. “We go into the Christmas period and the accumulation of matches is so high, but we do it as a special group with a special mentality, enjoying the situation, forgetting we don’t have a Christmas (break) like the Spanish, Italian and German players. “I enjoyed the busy period when I was in England and I missed it when I was in Spain and Italy. “Now I’m back I want to enjoy it, I want the players to enjoy it, and we need a special mentality to cope with that situation. “Nine matches and one of them is the match against Steaua. That’s our motivation for tomorrow (Tuesday), to try to kill the situation in the group phase and give us a little bit of space in December; instead of having nine real, competitive matches, we only have eight.” Mourinho looks in the mood for the battle ahead after trimming his hair to a ultra- short crew cut during the recent international break. The former Real Madrid boss borrowed hair clippers from Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, cut his hair himself and then sent a picture to his wife for her approval before heading home. Asked why he cut his hair, Mourinho said: “Some people can’t do what I did. In a couple of months I’ll have hair again. Some other people cannot do it. “I decided to do it. I asked Fernando to give me his machine and I did it myself in front of the mirror. It’s nice and cheap. “Mrs Mourinho, I sent a picture before I arrived at home to see if I could go in. Yes, no problem.”

EBSU withdraws from ASUU strike

Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, on Monday pulled out of the ongoing strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The school authorities took the decision following the failure of the ASUU National Executive Council which met in Kano at the weekend to put to an end to the strike. A statement issued by the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Sam Egwu, said academic activities will resume in all the university campuses on Tuesday. The statement said, “Having waited patiently for Federal Government and ASUU to resolve the impasse occasioned by the over four months strike embarked upon by the union to no avail, the management of EBSU on Monday, November 26 resolved to reopen the school. “We therefore inform all concerned that teaching and learning will begin fully on Tuesday, 26th, November, 2013. This is to enable us cover what we have lost to the strike.”

In a very revealing and his first interview since his release from prison for the involuntary manslaughter of Micheal Jackson, Dr Conrad Murray in a revealing interview with The Mail says Micheal didn't father any of his kids, was a drug addict and had to wear a condom because urine kept dripping from his penis... “You want to know how close Michael and I were? I held his penis every night. I had to put a condom catheter on him because Michael dripped urine. He had a loss of sensation and was incontinent. Michael didn’t know how to put a condom on, so I had to do it for him. It was the most intimate thing but he trusted me.I didn’t kill Michael Jackson. He was a drug addict,“Michael Jackson accidentally killed Michael Jackson.I believe he woke up, got hold of his own stash of Propofol and injected himself. He did it too quickly and went into cardiac arrest. He was in crisis at the end of his life, filled with panic and misery ... By the end, Michael Jackson was a broken man. I tried to protect him but instead I was brought down with him. Jackson had been dragged “into the abyss” of physical and mental anguish by the pressures of his London tour, He was so unhinged in his final days that he didn’t allow his underwear to be cleaned because he feared the maids would sell it.“He also had a hip condition where the hip bone comes out of the socket. Michael wanted to know if I could arrange a hip replacement.None of them are Michael’s biological children. He chose friends or business colleagues to help him.Michael was a decrepit man,He wanted to “be cremated and scattered someone nice and warm” yet his family ended up burying him in a Los Angeles cemetery.

American Music Awards 2013: Red carpet pics + Full list of winners

Full list of winners Favorite Male Artist, Pop/Rock Justin Timberlake Favorite Female Artist, Soul/R&B Rihanna Favorite Album, Country Taylor Swift/Red Favorite Album, Rap/Hip-Hop Macklemore & Ryan Lewis/The Heist Favorite Artist, Alternative Rock Imagine Dragons Favorite Artist, Latin Marc Anthony Favorite Album, Pop/Rock One Direction/Take Me Home New Artist of the Year Ariana Grande Favorite Male Artist, Soul/R&B Justin Timberlake Favorite Female Artist, Country Taylor Swift Single of the Year "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line, featuring Nelly Favorite Album, Soul/R&B Justin Timberlake/The 20/20 Experience Favorite Artist, Electronic Dance Music Avicii Favorite Male Artist, Country Luke Bryan Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Pop/ Rock One Direction Artist of the Year Taylor Swift Favorite Female Artist, Pop or Rock Taylor Swift Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary Maroon 5 Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational Matthew West Top Soundtrack Pitch Perfect

The Future Of Private Universities In Nigeria Is Bright, Begs ASUU To Call Off Strike – Okonjo-Iweala

Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said that with the high demand for university education in Nigeria, the future of private tertiary institutions in the country is bright. She added that Nigeria was on the path of addressing the problems in its education with the injection of N220bn annually to infrastructural development in the universities. She spoke at an event in Oduduwa University, Ipetu Modu, Osun State, where the minister and Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, were respectively conferred with honourary doctorate degree of science in accountancy and economics on Saturday. Okonjo-Iweala expressed optimism in prompt physical infrastructural development of the country’s universities, revealing also the Federal Government plan to support privately-owned tertiary institutions in the country. She said, “The increasing demand in tertiary education suggests that there is great protection for private investment in tertiary education in Nigeria to thrive. “As we continue to invest in critical infrastructure and provide practical-oriented curriculum, we will arrive at what graduates in this country need to survive. “Our tertiary education system is facing enormous challenges, which this country must urgently address. The Federal Government is deeply committed to the provision of good education by tackling the problems of tertiary education and has set aside additional N220bn annually to be able to address infrastructural problems in our tertiary institutions. “We know that we will need to do more as the years go by but the political will to perfect the business of tertiary education in this country is present in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.” The minister said that the Federal Government acknowledged the place of quality education in the nation’s development but stressed that the desired excellence could only be achieved with the genuine partnership with the private sector. “Quality education will have positive impact on our economy, therefore, both public and private sectors will need to work together to reach our desired goal,” she said. Sanusi expressed optimism that partnership of private and public sector would develop the nation’s economy to the desired capacity. “Nigeria has a long way to go but the government will like to assure the nation that with the support of the private sector, the country has a great future,” he said.

The Future Of Private Universities In Nigeria Is Bright, Begs ASUU To Call Off Strike – Okonjo-Iweala

D’Banj, Don Jazzy meet again at Ice Prince concert

Over the weekend, Choc City rap artist Ice Prince held his highly publicised Fire of Zemani concert but tension only heightened when fans watched with batted breath, as two Nigerian music heavy weights Don Jazzy and D’banj walk deliberately towards each other. The ice cracked when they both broke into smiles, gave each other bear hugs and even shared a ciger… it was a great sight. *Don Jazzy, D’banj, Dr Sid at Ice Prince Fire of Zemani concert This is the second time this year, these two are meeting in public and exchanging cheerful pleasantries. First had been at the wedding ceremony of Dotun Ojuolape of Cool fm and D’banj’s sister Dotun. They had even performed together on stage. Fans hurdled around them and cheered them on. Ice Prince’s Fire of Zemani which held at the Eko Hotel and Suites attracted performances from Chip and Ruby, with Sunny Neji making a surprise guest appearance. Ice Prince came on stage and held everyone hostage; delivering incredible track lists from his new album. Guests included a host of celebrities including Dele Momodu, Don Jazzy, D’banj, Ikechukwu, Dr SID, Waje, Dammy Krane, Tunde Ednut, Rita Dominic and many more. Fans are hoping against hope that D’banj and Don Jazzy will work together again, but they have left no indication that will be happening soon…we can only keep our fingers crossed.

ASUU Agrees To Suspend Strike After Secret Meeting, Gives Jonathan Three Conditions

University lecturers in Nigeria have agreed to end the five-month old strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, if the federal government agrees to three conditions, according to the Nigerian Eye. The three conditions are expected to be made known to President Goodluck Jonathan today, after which the strike will be called off and if an agreement is reached. Although, ASUU has forbidden its local chapters and zonal chairmen from talking to the press until the end of the session. A source, who was part of the ASUU session, which was held at Mambayya House in Kano, however revealed the conditions as: 1. Commitment from the President that any review or reconsideration or renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement will not substantially affect the pact which is the cause of the ongoing strike; 2. Immediate payment of all outstanding salary arrears and allowances of varsity teachers without victimization; and 3. A written commitment from the President that the Federal Government will commit N225 billion annually to the funding of universities for the next four years. According to the source, “Our leaders are meeting with the President on Monday to table these conditions. Once the President accepts these three terms, the strike will be called off. “In principle, members voted about 60-40 per cent to call off the strike, but they added a caveat – that ASUU leaders should extract a commitment (signed and sealed) from the President.” “It became imperative for ASUU to makes these demands, as it became obvious that the FG wanted the 2009 Agreement to be renegotiated. “If ASUU had accepted to renegotiate the entire Agreement, it means there will be no basis for the ongoing strike. The worst that can happen is either having the abridged version of the 2009 Agreement or a phased implementation of the document,” the source added. He also added that the conditions are not just three, but the fourth is “personal” to ASUU.

Why Peter and I Didn’t Wed on the Same Day – Paul Okoye

Music superstar twins Peter and Paul Okoye were expected by most people to wed on the same day. It was a shocker therefore, when Peter announced that he was the only one getting married on 17 November, 2013. Paul has now explained why the two didn’t tie the knot on the same day. In an interview, Paul said the difference in tribe of their women informed that decision. Paul’s fiancé is Igbo and so their traditional wedding will take place at her hometown. However, Paul hinted that the twins may have a joint mega white wedding in coming days.

House Of Reps Member Died After Sleeping With Female Banker, Woman Arrested

Rep. Raphael Oloye Nomiye, who was 50 years old, was until his death representing Ondo, Ilaje, Ese Odo in Ondo State under the platform of the Labour Party. The lawmaker was said to have died shortly after an affair with the banker (names withheld). The spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command, Hyelhira Altine Daniel, confirmed the incident, saying the command was still investigating the cause of the legislator’s death. When Sunday Trust visited the deceased’s residence at Second Avenue in Gwarinpa Estate, neighbours and witnesses said the banker, who managed his accounts, was said to have rushed down for the one- storey building to inform the policemen on guard at the house that “oga just fell down and is vomiting blood.” They said when the policemen entered into his room upstairs, they found him laying on the floor with a towel tied round his waist, while he bled from the mouth. He was then quickly taken to a private clinic on 3rd Avenue within the estate in his official Toyota Camry 2012 car with Registration Number 148B Rep. It was further learnt that doctors at clinic declined to attend to him, saying it was a “serious” matter, following which he was then rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he was later pronounced dead. Police sources disclosed that the banker, who is now in police custody at the Gwarinpa Police Division, had earlier denied having s*xual affair with the lawmaker before his death. But she was said to have changed her statement after doctors at the National Hospital conducted an examination on corpse, which confirmed that the deceased had slept with a woman shortly before his demise. The sources said after the test, the banker admitted to interrogators that she had actually slept with the deceased and had helped him to clean up, following which he went into the bathroom, where he suddenly fell and began to vomit blood. Police investigators who inspected the lawmaker’s house had succeeded in recovering some items, including a bottle of water, which the deceased lawmaker had drank from some tissue papers and the clothes the deceased had worn earlier in the day, Sunday Trust gathered. When our reporters visited the banker’s private residence located at Kado Estate in Abuja, two of her professional friends, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the banker and Raphael had been friends. They, however, denied knowledge of the lawmaker’s death. An investigation by Sunday Trust also revealed that although the late lawmaker was married, his wife and children were not living with him in Abuja. As at press time, there was no official statement from his family or the House, but a lawmaker in the Lower Chamber confirmed the lawmaker’s demise. He added, however, that the House would make an official statement until it received formal notification from Nomiye’s family. “I heard of his death, but we’re yet to get any official statement from his family or any doctor. The House will make an official statement when it eventually receives confirmation from his family,” said the source. When contacted, the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Publicity, Victor Ogene, said he was yet to get an official confirmation of the death and, as such, wouldn’t comment on it.

Zimbabwean Authorities Tells Nigerian Traders to Shut Down Their Businesses by January 1

Zimbabwean authorities say they have given foreign shop-owners – mostly Chinese and Nigerian nationals – an ultimatum to shut down their businesses by 1 January. A top official of the black empowerment ministry said only Zimbabweans had the right to run shops that have sprung up across the country and are termed foreign businesses targeted under the nation’s black empowerment laws, the state-controlled Herald newspaper reported Friday. Those laws, passed in 2007, demand foreign businesses to cede 51% control to local blacks. The foreign shop owners have been criticized for taking retail trade opportunities from Zimbabwean traders by selling cheap imports. Poor townships and city flea markets have in recent years been inundated by shops run by foreigners. According to state media, shop owners who fail to comply will be arrested. [AP]

Behold the world’s largest Slave Republic – Nigeria

“A democratic republic; if you can keep it”, James Madison, 1751-1836. James Madison, one of the founding fathers of the United States, who along with Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, laid out in the famous book, The Federalist Papers, the outlines of the American constitution, which was later adopted on September 7, 1787 gave that reply to a reporter who had asked him: “What form of government have you given to the American people”? Madison knew from historical experience that freedom and democracy don’t exist simply because a constitution had been written. Madison and the founding fathers of America and their descendants, till today, knew too well that “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom”. By contrast, when Nigeria became a republic in 1963, neither the Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, nor anybody else, warned Nigerians in the same vein. It was just assumed that a democratic republic, once pronounced and a constitution written would guarantee and perpetuate liberty. Unfortunately, for our founding fathers (Ahmadu Bello, Awolowo and Azikiwe included), they were the first victims of their collective folly. The democratic republic they pronounced in 1963 was demolished by a small band of armed adventurers; who promptly sent democracy in Nigeria to the dustbin of history. It has remained there till today. In fact, what we are practicing today is a of combination banana and slave republic. You ask how? Then, let me count some of the ways we have become the largest slave colony on earth. And why any National Conference, Sovereign or not, will fail. No government, at any level, national, regional or state, calling itself democratic, treats its citizens with such disdain as Nigerians are treated. I am writing this article on Saturday, November 16, 2013, while the election for Governor of Anambra State is underway. It is known world wide as a bye election – an election taking place outside the normal cycle of national elections. It happens all the time in the United States, whose constitution we borrowed, without caring to learn the collective attitudes that would make the constitution work. I challenge anyone to tell Nigerians when the President of the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, which is the national law enforcement agency in America and the Electoral Commission had closed the borders of any state holding a bye-election. Yet, the day before the Anambra election, the Nigeria Police, hopefully with the consent of the President of Nigeria, staged a constitutional coup by taking away one of our fundamental rights – The Right to Free Movement. River Niger Bridge, major gateway to the South-East and South-South… Nigerians were told that we could not travel through Anambra State for two days for security reasons. I will bet anyone any amount of money that no Police officer and no President of the United States can issue such an order and have it obeyed. The Americans would just ignore “the nut”, as he would be called, and those wanting to go to that state will go anyway. Why? Because America is the “land of the free and home of the brave”. Here we are a nation of slaves and cowards and our leaders know us. Even the National Assembly, which should see the coup against the people, for what it is, kept silent. David Mark, I can forgive, he never went to law school. But, the Speaker of the House of Representatives is a lawyer. Why their collective silence is pregnant with danger will be revealed at the end of this article. At state level, the same disregard for citizens is patently manifest as examples, drawn from two political parties will illustrate. Let me start with Ogun State, APC, where massive demolition is underway. The last time the Southwest experienced such inhuman demolition was when Colonel Raji Rasaki (rtd) descended like a Typhoon on the people of Maroko in Victoria Island and now Lekki and mindlessly rendered hundreds of thousands homeless without compensations or alternative means of abode. We shook our heads in disbelief and shrugged it off. What do you expect of Mad dogs (as late Chief MKO Abiola had called the military officers who invaded his house) anyway. But, this Governor Bulldozer, and called “progressive”, only in 2011 was begging the people for their votes. How many would have voted for him, if they knew that by 2013 they would be rendered homeless and asked to come and collect compensations unilaterally determined by government afterwards? Is this democracy in practice? And where is the State House of Assembly in all these? When the mind turns to Governor Wada of Kogi State, it immediately thinks Convoy Terrorism. His convoy’s collision with Iyayi’s vehicle, killing the Professor and halting FG-ASUU talks, was the third involving the Governor since December 28, 2013. So, it has been one crash every four months and the year is not over yet. I can testify that Wada’s Convoy Terrorism has become legendary in Kogi State. In February this year, on my way from Enugu, heading for Abuja, I encountered the menace near the Confluence Hotel in Lokoja. The road was terrible; but that did not deter Wada’s convoy from speeding like demons. Even when vehicles moved off the road for them, some of the policemen in the convoy will still kick out or hit with the butt of their guns, vehicles which failed to drive into the ditch fast enough so that Kogi’s Lord and master can move as fast as the Devil will drive his convoy. Several deaths have occurred on account of a man whose first duty is the safety of the citizens. And, where is the State Assembly? Where are the people in Kogi saying enough to a governor who apparently cannot control his delirium of power? In my ten years in the US, I found myself stopped at traffic lights, in Boston, four times with two Governors of Massachusetts. None violated the red light stopping every citizen. But, I forgot. Those governors were human beings leading other human beings not the political monsters we have created to rule over slaves. Since the Police can order us to stay away from Anambra for three days “for security reasons”, what stops the Army from closing the borders to Abuja for a week or month for the same reasons if they choose? The black man is backward because he, alone among races, cannot think deeply until the precedents they allow come to haunt them. These are only examples. LAST LINE: Despite the coup against the people, the election will still be disputed. So what was the use of violating our constitutional rights?

Mourinho Hails super frankie

Lampard scored twice against his former club as Chelsea claimed a second away win in the Premier League this term, with Oscar also on target at Upton Park. The 35-year-old England midfielder converted a penalty and a trademark strike from the edge of the area to end a 10- match scoreless run in the Premier League. "He played very well," Mourinho said. "We gave him the protection of Mikel to let him go forward a bit more. After that Lamps felt a bit more freedom to go and to support and to arrive in shooting areas." Lampard kissed the Chelsea badge on his shirt following his second goal at a ground where he began his career. Mourinho hopes to help the midfielder to a successful conclusion to his career. "I was his manager in the best period of his career and now I come back with him to enjoy the last period of his career," said Mourinho, for whom Lampard was a mainstay in the side during his first spell as boss from June 2004 to September 2007. "When he has this relationship with the manager, I think he feels even more comfortable to enjoy himself. He's in a moment where he has nothing to prove - to you, to the fans, to me, to himself. He has nothing to prove. "He has just to enjoy the last years of his career, try to play the maximum he can, try to score because scoring was always something that was part of his DNA as a player, and enjoy life

Military Priest Recalls How Two Hyenas Rescued Him in Somalia

Nairobi, Kenya: Two hyenas paid the ultimate price and conceivably saved the lives of a dozen Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers during the military’s incursion into Somalia. The pair of wild animals, known for their greed and uncanny ability to feast on their live prey, were killed when they trampled on a series of roadside bombs planted by the Al-Shabaab militants targeting KDF trucks last year. The stunned but relieved soldiers did little to celebrate the lives of the animals as is the military creed. However, one KDF personnel deeply appreciates the significance of the incident because it saved his life. The hyena story now forms part of the memorabilia of many incidents for Major Father George Makau, a chaplain in the Kenyan military. He will forever remain indebted to the wild animals. The chaplain, who kept a rifle on his left shoulder, a Bible and a rosary in his right hand for the 11 months he was in the frontline inside Somalia, has finally opened up about his life changing experience and the bravery of Kenyan soldiers. Dodged bomb He dodged the roadside bomb but still got shot in the line of duty. Major Fr Makau was injured and airlifted back to the military hospital in Nairobi in mid-September last year and has now made a complete recovery. He now makes constant reference to incidents from the warfront in his sermons to encourage soldiers and their families within the army barracks. His sermons provide a first-hand account of a soldiers’ life at the frontline of the military incursion dubbed ‘Operation Linda Nchi’ sanctioned by Kenya’s retired President Mwai Kibaki in October 2011. Makau was in the first contingent that made history for crossing over into Somalia on assignment to eliminate the militants that had taken over Kenya’s eastern neighbour and had made nerve wrecking cross border incursions into Kenyan towns along the border. Their ruthless escapades included killings and kidnappings of foreign tourists from as far a town as Lamu, a coastal town near Mombasa. Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab Islamist group controlled most of the country that has been without an established civilian- government since the fall of Siad Barre’s rule in 1991. Buoyed by the lack of a proper governance system and military, the al Shabaab mutated into a terror group that became a major security threat within and outside Somalia. In Kenya, the militant group was linked to several attacks along border towns, grenade attacks and kidnappings prompting the then President Kibaki to launch the cross-border offensive. Maj Makau’s role in the incursion is unique and less talked about. He provides moral support and spiritual guidance to the soldiers who profess to the Catholic faith. “It is common for a soldier to be in stress at the warfront. I was their father and counsellor.” There were two other chaplains for Protestants and the Muslim faithful. “Everyone in the army must belong to any of the three faiths,” says Maj Makau. He granted an interview after a mass he conducted in a barrack in Nairobi recently. A similar mass thousands of miles inside Somalia would last no more than 20 minutes, he said, which typically was concluded at dawn before the militants were up for another day of heavy fighting. “I would have my gun strapped to my right hand side throughout the mass and at all times,” Makau says, gesturing how the rifle would be strapped on his shoulder while delivering the mass in a dug-out trench that doubles up as a dormitory. Confessions, which are a central pillar of the Catholic faith, were given in the bushes while the others kept watch. The soldiers lived each day knowing they could die under a hail of gunfire. His role at keeping the soldiers grounded in their faith and remembering their loved ones at home may have kept the soldiers’ morale high. Being ambushed by militants were regular events. Al-Shabaab fighters would launch attacks using bombs and heavy artillery mounted on improvised pick-up trucks called ‘technicals’. On September 22, last year, the worst happened. Al-Shabaab executed an ambush at Osingo near Afmadhow. Father Makau was engaged by the serene quietness of the bush before suddenly being surrounded by a hail of gunfire and screaming militants. He clutched to his weapon and rosary and realised the explosion of gunfire was in fact an ambush. The KDF soldiers returned fire in equal measure. He remembers the unstoppable cacophony of shooting and then suddenly wincing in pain. He had been shot in the leg and sustained serious injuries. He survived the battle but that moment also marked his withdrawal from the battlefront. He was airlifted to a hospital bed at the Armed Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi. The bullet was lodged in the upper left leg. It was subsequently removed at the hospital. But that outcome was perhaps better than what would have happened earlier in mid-November 2011 that would have led to his permanent withdrawal. It was an incident that still haunts him every day. They were driving through the town of Tabda in the first month after entering Somalia. Two hungry hyenas on the hunt had accidentally stepped on a roadside bomb set up by Al Shabaab that was targeted at the KDF. Fr Makau was in the front vehicle that was part of the convoy. The retinue of soldiers arrived at the spot to find the mutilated and ripped up bodies of the two wild packs that had taken the full impact of the bomb. It was a chilling sight. If the convoy of soldiers had arrived at the spot before the two hyenas, the massive casualty level of fatalities would have been shocking. Fr Makau and his colleagues would have been killed and become part of the statistics of men in uniform who have paid the ultimate price in Somalia in defence of their homeland, Kenya. “It (the explosive) was right on the path we were to use.” Fr Makau denied stories that the KDF tortured or involved itself in mistreatment of Somalis; even pointing out that the Somalia National Army (SNA) had a policy of assimilating the prisoners of war. “If there was any torture, it must have been by the SNA… captured militants were taken in to join the Somalia army that we were fighting alongside.” It was easy to assimilate the militants into the SNA because most had been disoriented over promises of salaries from their commanders that were never forthcoming, he claimed. Al Shabaab have claimed that the KDF soldiers were involved in torture of innocent people as the basis for the retaliatory terror attacks in targeting several towns across the country, including the September 21 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi. Survivors of the mall attack said the gunmen had come to revenge on the atrocities committed by the KDF on their people, with the threat of carrying out more severe attacks should Kenya refuse pulling its officers out of Somalia. Wonders back Back in Somalia, KDF Muslim soldiers and members of the Somalia National Army would hold their five prayers jointly, under the cover of their Catholic and Protestant colleagues. Now back home, Fr Makau spends his time at the 1KR barracks in Nanyuki. But his mind often wonders back to those tense and dangerous days in the battle front in Somalia and the role that KDF has played in the liberation of the war torn country from militants. The hail of bullets, the wail of soldiers and the sight of dead Al Shabaab militants who fell prey to KDF bullets because they would not relent. Nanyuki, under the picturesque Mt Kenya, is a much more peaceful and serene place than where Fr Makau took a bullet to his leg in Somalia. And every evening when the cover of darkness envelopes the barracks, he remembers the brave men in the battlefront still serving in Somalia and says a silent prayer for them and their families.

Court Order Samsung To Pay Apple $290 Million For Copying IPhone And IPad Features

A Silicon Valley jury on Thursday ordered Samsung Electronics to pay Apple $290 million for copying vital iPhone and iPad features. The verdict covers 13 older Samsung devices that a previous jury found were among 26 Samsung products that infringed Apple patents. The previous jury awarded Apple $1.05 billion. But U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh ordered the new trial and tossed out $450 million of the damages after concluding the previous jury miscalculated the amount Samsung owed. Apple vs Samsung: A U.S. jury awarded Apple $290.45 million in a damages retrial against Samsung Electronics on Thursday, it is the latest battle in global patent litigation between the two mobile giants Samsung appealed that verdict and is expected to appeal the latest verdict. A third trial is scheduled for March to consider Apple's claims that Samsung's newest devices on the market also copied Apple's technology. Apple and Samsung are the world's two biggest smartphone makers. The bitter rivals have been waging a global battle for supremacy of the $300 billion worldwide market. Apple has argued in courts, government tribunals and regulatory agencies around the world that Samsung's Android-based phones copy vital iPhone features. Samsung is fighting back with its own complaints that some key Apple patents are invalid and Apple has copied Samsung's technology. Samsung lawyer William Price argued Apple is misconstruing the breadth of its patents to include such things as the basic rectangle shape of most smartphones today. 'Apple doesn't own beautiful and sexy,' Price told the San Jose jury. Apple and Samsung are the world's two biggest smartphone makers and the bitter rivals have been waging a global battle for supremacy of the $300 billion worldwide market Apple attorney William Lee told the jury that Samsung used Apple's technology to lift it from an also-ran in the smartphone market three years ago to the biggest seller of them in the world today. 'Apple can never get back to where it should have been in 2010,' Lee told the jury on Tuesday at the conclusion of the week-long trial. The fight in San Jose is particularly contentious. The courtroom is a 15- minute drive from Apple's Cupertino headquarters, and several prospective jurors were dismissed because of their ties to the company. The South Korean-based Samsung has twice sought to stop the trial, accusing Apple on Tuesday of unfairly trying to inflame patriotic passions by urging jurors to help protect American companies from overseas competitors. The judge denied Samsung's request for a mistrial, but did reread to reread an instruction ordering them to put aside their dislikes and biases in deciding the case. On Wednesday, Samsung again demanded a halt to the trial after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office told Apple it was planning to invalidate a patent protecting the 'pinch-to-zoom' feature at issue in the jury's deliberation. The judge ordered more briefing while declining to stop the trial. Source