FOOTBALL GOSSIP......................

Sir Alex Ferguson has said he could become a director at Manchester United once his long-term reign as manager comes to an end. The 71-year-old has been in charge of the current Premier League leaders since 1986..

Nigeria’s Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional

A 10-year-old JSS 1 pupil of Valencia College, Ibadan, Oyo State, Seyi-Ojo Anjolaoluwa, has done his school proud by becoming one of the youngest kids that have obtained the Microsoft Certified Professional certificate. He has emerged the youngest Nigerian Microsoft certified professional and one of the youngest people in the world to attain such feat.

Why youths should not seek only blue collar jobs

Written by Eremionkhale Omono

Happy Birthday to u Mrs Chioma

First Bank introduces youth empowerment programme

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has commenced a programme titled ‘First Bank Youth Excel Series’ designed to empower youths.

Discovery: Security bugs in Adobe's Reader and Acrobat software

Cyber criminals have targeted government officials in more than 20 countries,

Rafael Benitez leave Chelsea in May..........

Rafael Benitez has said he will leave Chelsea in May and described the decision to give him the title "interim manager" as a "massive mistake".

After beating Middlesbrough 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round, the Spaniard also criticised some of the club's fans.

He told BBC Radio 5 live: "Chelsea gave me the title of interim manager, which is a massive mistake. I'm the manager.

"The fans are not helping us. At the end of the season I will leave. They don't have to worry about me."

Benitez's defiant post-match interview came after the former Liverpool manager was once again targeted by a section of his club's supporters.

Asked a question about the importance of the FA Cup, Benitez responded with an outspoken rant in which he said: He would leave the club in the summer;

          The "interim" title was a "massive mistake";

• He was only given the title so the club could "wash our hands" of him if he failed;
• Supporters were "wasting their time" in protesting against him;
• Fans' actions could cost the club a top-four place;
• The only reason supporters are unhappy with him is because of his Liverpool background. The 52-year-old has been unpopular with some Blues fans since he took over from Champions League-winning manager Roberto Di Matteo in Noverber

No public ceremony to mark the first papal resignation

 Pope Benedict slips quietly from the world stage on Thursday after a private last goodbye to his cardinals and a short flight to a country palace to enter the final phase of his life "hidden from the world".
In keeping with his shy and modest ways, there will be no public ceremony to mark the first papal resignation in six centuries and no solemn declaration ending his nearly eight-year reign at the head of the world's largest church.

 

His last public appearance will be a short greeting to residents and well-wishers at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome, in the late afternoon after his 15-minute helicopter hop from the Vatican.
When the resignation becomes official at 8 p.m. Rome time (02.00 p.m. EST), Benedict will be relaxing inside the 17th century palace. Swiss Guards on duty at the main gate to indicate the pope's presence within will simply quit their posts and return to Rome to await their next pontiff.
Avoiding any special ceremony, Benedict used his weekly general audience on Wednesday to bid an emotional farewell to more than 150,000 people who packed St Peter's Square to cheer for him and wave signs of support.
With a slight smile, his often stern-looking face seemed content and relaxed as he acknowledged the loud applause from the crowd.
"Thank you, I am very moved," he said in Italian. His unusually personal remarks included an admission that "there were moments ... when the seas were rough and the wind blew against us and it seemed that the Lord was sleeping".
CARDINALS PREPARE THE FUTURE
Once the chair of St Peter is vacant, cardinals who have assembled from around the world for Benedict's farewell will begin planning the closed-door conclave that will elect his successor.
One of the first questions facing these "princes of the Church" is when the 115 cardinal electors should enter the Sistine Chapel for the voting. They will hold a first meeting on Friday but a decision may not come until next week.
The Vatican seems to be aiming for an election by mid-March so the new pope can be installed in office before Palm Sunday on March 24 and lead the Holy Week services that culminate in Easter on the following Sunday.
In the meantime, the cardinals will hold daily consultations at the Vatican at which they discuss issues facing the Church, get to know each other better and size up potential candidates for the 2,000-year-old post of pope.
There are no official candidates, no open campaigning and no clear front runner for the job. Cardinals tipped as favorites by Vatican watchers include Brazil's Odilo Scherer, Canadian Marc Ouellet, Ghanaian Peter Turkson, Italy's Angelo Scola and Timothy Dolan of the United States.
BENEDICT'S PLANS
Benedict, a bookish man who did not seek the papacy and did not enjoy the global glare it brought, proved to be an energetic teacher of Catholic doctrine but a poor manager of the Curia, the Vatican bureaucracy that became mired in scandal during his reign.
He leaves his successor a top secret report on rivalries and scandals within the Curia, prompted by leaks of internal files last year that documented the problems hidden behind the Vatican's thick walls and the Church's traditional secrecy.
After about two months at Castel Gandolfo, Benedict plans to move into a refurbished convent in the Vatican Gardens, where he will live out his life in prayer and study, "hidden to the world", as he put it.
Having both a retired and a serving pope at the same time proved such a novelty that the Vatican took nearly two weeks to decide his title and form of clerical dress.
He will be known as the "pope emeritus," wear a simple white cassock rather than his white papal clothes and retire his famous red "shoes of the fisherman," a symbol of the blood of the early Christian martyrs, for more pedestrian brown ones.

Middlesbrough Vs Chelsea - FA Cup Today At 8:45pm

Rafael Benitez takes the west London side to the Riverside Stadium to face the Championship outfit with a last - eight clash at Old Trafford awaiting the victors.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez should continue with Petr Cech in goal ahead of second-choice keeper Ross Turnbull, despite his tendency to rotate goalkeepers in the cup.

Ryan Bertrand is likely to replace Ashley Cole at left-back, though, with John Terry set to partner David Luiz at centre-back and Branislav Ivanovic to start at right- back after Benitez ruled out Gary Cahill (virus) and Cesar Azpilicueta (leg). Juan Mata is likely to be rested for the tie to give Oscar a chance whilst Fernando Torres should also return to Benitez's team.

This will be the fourth meeting between Middlesbrough and Chelsea in the FA Cup. Chelsea have won two (including the 1997 final) and Boro have won one.

Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 11 matches against middlesbrough in all competitions.

The Blues have only lost one of their last 52 FA Cup games against lower ranked sides;losing 0-1 to Barnsley in March 2008.

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Paris St-Germain are interested in signing Manchester United's £40m-rated striker Wayne Rooney. The French league leaders want to improve their attacking options and have identified 27-year-old Rooney as a potential target to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic.



Former Real Madrid president Roman Calderon has said 28-year-old forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has two-and-a-half years left to run on his current contract with the Spanish club, will make a decision about his future in the summer. 


Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, 23, is set for talks with Real Madrid over a £40m move in the summer. Madrid would pay £30m up front with a further £10m over the next four years.

Tributes, tears as Goldie is laid to rest

Emotion rang high on Monday as famiy and friends of late Hip-Hop star and former Big Brother Africa star, Susan Harvey, was laid to rest.
The deceased, popularly known as Goldie, was buried at Ikoyi Vaults and Gardens, Lagos.
The deceased’s colleagues in the industry such as Kenny Ogungbe, Denrele Edun, Essence, Kenny st Brown and Weird Mc
Friends and family rendered written tributes to the 31-year-old whom they described as determined and loving.
One of such tributes was a written one from her husband, Andrew.
Andrew said, “Susan you walked into my life. It was like God sent you as a fresh breath. I still remember your response to my first love message. You said, ‘Love killed Romeo, sent Diana to an early grave and killed jack on the Titanic, forget about love, just have friendship

Woman Stabs Friend For Sleeping With Lover  

Two women, Blessing Nwosa and Aminat Kehinde threw decency to the wind and fought publicly in Ijora Badia area Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, over a lover.P.M.NEWS gathered that Blessing was angry that her friend, Aminat slept with her lover called Kenny who she claimed was planning to marry her.
The fighting resulted in Blessing allegedly using a broken bottle to stab Aminat in the breast.
Her breast was badly injured and she was rushed to a private  hospital where she is being treated.
The 27-year old Blessing was arrested and charged to Apapa Magistrate’s court for assault occassioning harm.
On the day the incident happened, Blessing allegedly ambushed Aminat along the Railway line at Ijora-Badia and engaged her in a fight.
She was alleged to have broken a bottle of beer which she used to stab Aminat in her left breast.
The matter was reported at Ijora police division and Blessing was arrested and charged to court for the alleged offence.
She pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A .K .Shonubi granted her bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Blessingwas remanded in prison custody pending when she will fulfill her bail condition.

The tallest building in the world

The world's tallest building is Burj Khalifa which was formerly known as Burj Dubai.


Name of the building: Burj Khalifa
Location: Dubai

Country: United Arab Emirates

Designed by: Adrian Smith

Opened in: 2010

Space covered: 309,473 square meters

Height: 829.8 meters

Floors: 164

Used as: Corporates office, suites and hotel.

Major materials used: Glass, steel, concrete and aluminum

Cost: 1.5 billion US Dollars

5 facts about the Burj Khalifa:

Burj Khalifa, which was formerly known as Burj Dubai, is the tallest building in the world. Second and third in the list are Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel and Taipei 101.

The height of the building is twice the height of Empire State Building of New York.

Burj Khalifa can be seen from a distance of 97 kilometers on a clear day and it take about more months to clean the entire building.

Burj Khalifa hold several world records. It is not only the tallest building in the world but also the tallest free standing structure, it has occupied the highest space of floor, it has the highest number of stories, and the highest outdoor observation deck in the world.

The building also has the highest mosque, the highest restaurant, the quickest and the tallest elevator in the world.
Another attraction included in the project is “The Dubai Fountain.”

It is a coreographed fountain spread over a 30-acre lake. It has 6600 lights and 25 colored projects, and it can shoot water up to 500 feet in the air.

Death penalty Approved for Terrorist

The Nigerian Senate yesterday unanimously prescribed death penalty for any person engaged in acts of terrorism in the country.

Also, persons or corporate bodies who knowingly in or outside Nigeria directly or indirectly willingly assists, facilitates, organises or directs the activities of persons or organisations engaged in "act of terrorism" is liable on conviction to maximum of life imprisonment.
The penalties were contained in a report of the Conference Committee on a Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (prevention) Act, 2011 and for other related matter, considered and adopted by the Senate at Wednesday's plenary.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Terrorism (prevention) Act 2011 (amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed by the Senate on October 17, 2012 and in the House of Representatives on October 11, 2012.

However, some differences were noticed in the two versions of the Bill, as passed by the two chambers. Consequently, a Conference Committee was constituted comprising both chambers on October, 2012 to reconcile the areas of differences, which appeared in essentially six clauses of the Bill.

New amendments to Section 17 of the Terrorism Act, gave a clear distinction between "an act of terrorism" and "an act of conspiracy". For the latter, an imprisonment for a term of not less than 20 years is prescribed.

A new provision (section 1A) dealing with national co-ordinating bodies in counter terrorism designates specific institutions and vest specific powers and functions. Read More

http://leadership.ng/nga/articles/48289/2013/02/21/senate_prescribes_death_penalty_terrorists.html
http://naijafreakynews.blogspot.com/2013/02/penalty-death-for-all-terrorist-approved-by-senators-in-nigeria.html

Samsung Galaxy S4 To Launch In March

"Samsung will announce its next-generation flagship phone, the Galaxy S4, on March 14 online sources have claimed.

The Korean electronics giant will reveal the device in New York, claimed Samsung site Sammobile.

Several other sources and tech sites have echoed the news, indicating - though hardly confirming - the rumours are based on solid information.

It is thought the device will represent Samsung's newest assault on the iPhone, will an enhanced screen, faster processor and new software features.

The Galaxy S3 was the best-reviewed and among the best-selling high-end smartphones of 2012.

The new device will likely command an equally impressive response, with specs rumoured to include a 5-inch, ultra HD screen, a quad-core Exynos 5440 processor and 2GB of RAM.

The device won't be public until next month, but it has been claimed that two units will be on show to select partners at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona next week.

It is also thought that the Galaxy Note 8.0, a larger version of the pen-based tablet, will be unveiled at the event."

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/02/19/samsung-galaxy-s4-launch-_n_2715048.html

Recent Vacancies in MTN Nigeria

Job Title	Expiry Date
IS Project Manager Division: Information Systems Status: Permanent	2/20/2013
Business and Budget Planning Manager Division: Network Group Status: Permanent	2/22/2013
New Media Officer Division: Corporate Services Status: Permanent	2/25/2013
Risk Analyst Division: Internal Audit Status: Permanent	2/28/2013
Trade Marketing Consultant x 7 (Borno,Yobe,Zanfara,Rivers,Anambra,Lagos and Delta) Division: Sales and Distribution Status: Permanent	2/28/2013
Dealer Account Executive X7 (Ondo, Yobe, Borno, Gombe, Kebbi, Zamfara, Bayelsa) Division: Sales and Distribution Status: Permanent	2/28/2013
Team Lead, Solutions Design Division: Information Systems Status: Permanent	3/1/2013
Travel Coordinator Division: Finance Status: Permanent http://careers.mtnonline.com/mtncareers/vacancies.asp?deptid=0	3/1/2013

18 Million Nigerians Are Mentally Ill - Psychiatrist

About18 million Nigerians representing 12 percent of the nation’s 150 million population require medical attention on mentalrelated ailments, a United Kingdom-based Nigerian Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO of Snapse Services, Dr Vincent Udenze, has said.

Udenze spoke yesterday at a one-day interactive session on improving the role of the family in mental health care held in Abuja. He, however, said there could have been a drastic decline in the figure but for lateness in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Udenze listed possible causes of mental disease to include addiction to drug and alcohol and excessive depression, noting that families of affected persons have basic roles to play in ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment for people living with the disorder. While calling on private investors to come into the rescue in the country, he expressed displeasure with public attitude towards the patients, saying: “Those with diabetics go on the street, we don’t stigmatise them.

Those with high blood pressure go to work, we don’t stigmatise them. We talk about those people with mental disorder badly when they are actually someone dear to us; when they are actually members of some particular families.

“Unfortunately, when we say mental illness, most of us jump into conclusion and think of the man on the street, the person we call the mad man; we stigmatize him. That is a lady or gentleman who had been unfortunately let down by the society because he is ill, no one cares for him or her; she is left there on the street. In some cultures, they even get abused, Molested.

There is thinking that if you sleep with a mad woman, you can make some money. So, society abuses them. All of us as Nigerians, what are we doing about this?” He added that families are often stigmatized along with the patients after a cure is achieved, and that such stigmatization could last for generations.

According to him, mental disorder did not mean that the person on the street could not be healed. Udenze said that services of professionals should be sought to save the patients from the disease. Mental illness, he said, is manageable like diabetics and hypertension, among others, stressing that early diagnosis and treatment was the best way to treating

Goldie Died Of Stroke - SaharaReporters

Medical sources at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital have revealed that Big Brother Africa singing sensation Oluwabimpe Susan Harvey aka "Goldie" died of Intracranial hemorrhage as a result of hypertension.

Several of the sources told Saharareporters exclusively that Mrs. Harvey had bleeding in her brain which could be attributed to hypertension.

The confirmation put to rest earlier speculation by her managers and fans that she died of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) as a result of her long journey from the Grammy's Award in the US.

One of our sources said that they could not immediately determine if drugs consumption triggered the excessive amount of bleeding that killed her as it was rare for someone her age to die of stroke.

The medical source stated that a toxicology test would be required to find out if her death was caused by drugs, a process that would likely take months as conclusive tests could only be conducted outside Nigeria.

The pop singer died on Valentine day shortly after returning from the US.

The cause of death has been a source of speculation and resentment as her fans, and friends objected to suggestions that she might have died due to drug addiction.
http://mobile.saharareporters.com/news-page/nigerian-pop-singer-susan-goldie-harvey-died-stroke-pathologists

FIFA Approves (GLT) Goal-line Technology For 2014 World Cup

FIFA has approved the use of goal-line technology for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
The governing body said the system will also be introduced for the Confederations Cup this summer, also held in Brazil, following a successful trial at the Club World Cup in December.

FIFA has now put the contract for World Cup goal-line technology out to tender, marking a key moment in the application of modern technology to a sport first codified in 1848.

Two systems, Hawkeye and GoalRef, have so far been licensed by FIFA and both were used at the Club World Cup in Japan, where goal-line technology was employed for the first time.

A statement read: "After a successful implementation of Goal-Line Technology (GLT) at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December 2012, FIFA has decided to use GLT at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

"The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests.

"With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil.

"The two GLT providers already licensed under FIFA’s Quality Programme for GLT, and other GLT providers currently in the licensing process (that must have passed all relevant tests as of today) are invited to submit tenders.

"Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April."

FIFA changed its view on technology after the 2010 World Cup, when a shot from England's Frank Lampard clearly crossed the line but was not given in a second-round match Germany went on to win.

Having previously opposed any changes, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the matter would be investigated urgently.

RIP ACTOR, JUSTUS ESIRI BOWS

LEGENDARY ACTOR, JUSTUS ESIRI BOWS OUT - RIP!

With a deep heart, piusehimare.blogspot.com announces that veteran actor, Justus Esiri is dead. The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning a second time in barely one week. Esiri lost his battle with diabetes in the early hours of Wednesday in a Lagos Hospital.

Over the years, Justus Esiri has kept us glued to the television. In whatever role he played, you were sure to see him at his best. As he moves on to the great beyond, we ask the Almighty to grant his soul eternal rest.

Hope Arsene wenger' will not fail again.

After a disastrous weekend at the emirate , knocked out by blackburn in the F.A cup , Arsene wenger's side are ready once again , to face another big opponent in the champions league, the german heavyweight, bayern munich .

Venue : Emirates stadium

Kick off time : 8.45 pm

Date : 19 feb 2013

What is your opinion on this acticle?

Many people are marrying early these days. They would like to get into matrimony as soon as their courtship is over. Tying the knot is important to strengthen their relationship. They feel settling down in life early would help them set up their independent home.

Whatever may be the advantages of settling down early in life, the fact remains there are problems to be faced if one gets into matrimony too quickly.

Examples are :
1. Responsibility has to be shouldered at a very young age. One has to take on household responsibilities, child rearing responsibility etc. There is no adult to guide or help out.

2. Missing out on the fun of teenage life and being young. The drudgeries of married life can get to you. They deprive you of your youth.

3. Health also can get affected as early pregnancy can have a negative impact on overall health.

4. Breakdown of marriage is possible. Often the young couple is immature to shoulder major responsibility and end up fighting with each other. Adjustment problems may arise.

5. Education also gets affected. The young couple may not be able to pursue higher education as they have to take on the responsibilities of family budget.

6. Work opportunities are limited for the youngsters. Since their education levels are low, they cannot get highly paid jobs.

7. Bringing up children may be difficult. Their knowledge of child care may be limited and parental guidance is also not there. They may not be able to provide the appropriate care for their child.

Marrying early may seem very romantic and convenient, but it has its problems. Couples need to get to know each other better and this takes time. Rushing into a marriage, which may not last long does not appear the right thing to do. In some countries, where child marriage is prevalent, efforts are on by respective Governments to dissuade such a practice.

One-year-old Baby Bites Snake To Death - Family

An encounter between a snake and a baby ended in a surprising outcome Thursday, when the infant's mother walked into his room to find him chewing on the dead reptile.

The infant, Imad Gadir, whose family resides in Shfaram, was not hurt when he bit the unlucky coin snake, but was taken to Haifa's Ramabam Medical Center, just in case.

According to Imad's grandfather, Shaheen Shaheen, who recalled the family's tumultuous morning, the boy woke up when his father left for work at 6:30 am. The 1-year-old left his parents' bed and headed to his room, where he found the 35-centimeter (13-inch) snake. He then grabbed it and bit its head off.

"It wasn't a pretty sight," Shaheen said. "He's a baby, he didn't know what he was doing. He thought it was a game. I don't wish this kind of thing on anyone."

When Imad's mother realized what had happened she began screaming, until a neighbor jumped the house's fence, entered the room and snatched the snake out of the boy's hand.

"I went to the kitchen to get him some milk, and when I came back I saw he was already eating," the mother, Alain, said. "I screamed until the neighbors came. I still can't believe what I saw."

Veteran snake-catcher Eli Cohen said he has never come across a case of this kind.

"I guess the kid acted out of a childish instinct when he put the snake in his mouth," he said. "Luckily for him, the coin snake isn't poisonous, otherwise it could have ended in a tragedy."

Eli Cohen, the owner of a pest control company, estimated that the snake was three years old, and said that his bite often hurts but is not dangerous to anyone who isn't allergic to it. He said that this type of reptile chokes his prey. "If it was a bigger snake, the boy could have been strangled."

Economy grew by 6.28% in Q2 — NBS …as inflation rate drops to 11.7%

The National Bureau of Statistics on Sunday released the country’s Gross Domestic Product figure for the second quarter of 2012, saying that the economy recorded a 6.28 per cent growth in output.

The growth was, however, lower than the 7.61 per cent growth that the economy recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

The report, which was signed by the Statistician General of the bureau, Dr. Yemi Kale, put the nominal GDP for the second quarter at N9.84tn, as against the N9.17tn recorded in the corresponding period of 2011.

The report said the economy, which is broken into two broad output groups comprising the oil and non-oil sectors, “witnessed lower output in the second quarter of 2012.”

It said the non-oil sector, which was driven by growth in the building and construction sector, recorded a 7.50 growth in real terms, as against 8.85 per cent in the corresponding period in 2011. The oil sector contributed about 13.86 per cent to real GDP, compared to 14.84 per cent.

In terms of sectoral contribution, the report said real agricultural GDP growth in the second quarter of 2012 stood at 3.97 per cent, as against 5.95 per cent in the corresponding period of 2011.

It said, “The year on year decline in agriculture output may be largely attributed to persisting constraints in some of the major agricultural states, especially in the northern part of the country, which hindered movement of farm inputs and produce, as well as opportunities to expand farming areas.

“On another level, high rainfall intensity during the quarter resulted in flooding in some parts of the country, further affecting output levels.”

For the finance and insurance sector, the report said the sector recorded a growth of 4.77 per cent in the second quarter compared with 4.61 per cent.

The increase in growth of the sector was traceable to the increased activities in the bond market, which has favoured key players in the industry, especially pen-sion fund managers, banks and insurance firms, thus increasing the vibrancy in business activities in the sector.

It attributed the increase in the growth of the sector to renewed activities in the bond market that favoured key players in the industry, especially pension fund managers, banks and insurance firms.

For the wholesale and retail trade sector, the NBS report stated that the sector grew by 8.61 per cent in the second quarter, representing a decline of 2.86 per cent over the 11.47 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2011. It attributed the decline in growth “to a decrease in consumer demand, as a result of continued re-allocation of consumption budgets in the face of generally higher prices of consumer goods while disposable income remained relatively unchanged.”

Other contributors to the GDP within the period under review are telecommunications, 29.77 per cent; real estate, 10.87 per cent and business and other services, 11.27 per cent.

For the manufacturing sector, the report said it recorded a marginal increase in growth from 7.34 per cent to 7.45 per cent.

It added that the improved power supply for manufacturing activities in parts of the country was responsible for the increase.

Meanwhile the NBS, in its Consumer Price Index report, which was also released on Sunday, put the country’s inflation rate at 11.7 per cent for the month of August.

The August figure represented a decline, when compared to the 12.8 per cent recorded in July.

On the reason for the decline in CPI, it said, “The relative moderation in the index is attributable to the relative slower rises in both the food and core indices, partly as a result of aggressive monetary policy initiatives by the Central Bank of Nigeria, base effects and a much lower rise in several food prices, such as yams, tubers and vegetables due to the harvest season.”

Rain havoc in Ibadan

Over 100 buildings including residential houses, churches, mosques, fuel stations and shops were destroyed by rainstorm in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State Sunday night.
Also affected by the rainfall that lasted less than two hours, were the electric poles belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which fell across the roads causing traffic gridlock in the affected areas.
Areas affected by the rainstorm include Olomi, Odinjo, Molete, Odo-Ona and Challenge areas of the city.

At Aperin, the rain affected Ibadan Christ Apostolic Grammar School, where the storm removed the roofs of some blocks of classrooms and collapsed a whole classroom block newly constructed and yet to be handed over to the school for use.

Pastor Dies On The Altar After Leading Prayer....Is a sign of end-time

Komolafe died nine months after one of his daughters lost her life to an auto crash in May 2012.

One of the children of the deceased, Funsho, told PUNCH Metro that Komolafe’s death was shocking and unbelievable.

He said with his father’s death, it had become double calamity for the family.

Funsho, who responded to our correspondent’s questions via electronic mail, said the 69-year-old pastor did not have any terminal ailment.

He stressed that he and other members of the family had yet to come to terms with the sad incident.

He said, “My father, Pastor Komolafe, popularly known as Jack Solo, slumped right on the altar.

“The incident was immediately after he led the congregation in a prayer session. He slumped and died on the spot.”

Source. Punch Newspapers : http://www.punchng.com/metro/pastor-dies-on-the-altar-after-leading-prayer/

Bomb Explosion in Festac kills one, shatters policeman’s legs

A middle aged businessman, Oladele Pius,was this morning killed when a bomb planted under FESTAC/Mile 2 link bridge, Lagos, few metres away from his office, exploded, PM news reports.
Witnesses disclosed that the sand dealer was passing by when the bomb exploded.He died on the spot – but it could not be ascertained whether he was actually the target of those who planted the bomb or not.

The scene of the incident has been cordoned off by armed mobile police officers while the body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary.
Sources at the scene of the incident further disclosed that the legs of a policeman who visited the deceased were shattered as a result of the explosion.

Heineken International Graduate Programme 2013

Ideally you will need:

A degree – or about to graduate (preferably a Masters);
Be advised that if you are considering applying for Supply Chain that you will need to have a science or engineering background;
Up to two years of relevant work experience (voluntary, internships, professional) in your chosen function, with at least 6 months gained outside

your home country;
To speak at least three languages - one of which should be English;
A desire to live and work abroad;
To have proven leadership skills;
To have an affinity with your chosen field of specialisation;
To have genuine interest in other countries and cultures;
To be able to demonstrate your drive and desire to succeed;
A driving licence.

Application Closing Date
Note that the on-line application process will close on the 22nd of February, 2013 at midnight GMT+1 time.

How To Apply
If you feel that the International Graduate Programme is for you please http://www.graduates.heinekeninternational.com/home.php

158,000 graduates apply for 1,750 NIMC jobs

Over 158,000 graduates responded to the recent call for applications by the National Identity Management Commission for 1,750 job openings, sources at the Human Resource Department of the organisation told our correspondent.

It was gathered that the external consultants appointed to manage the recruitment process had submitted the full list of those who applied and were screening the applicants to come up with a shortlist for possible interview.

Wife Sets Husband On Fire In Abuja

Tragedy struck on Wednesday, as senior legislative adviser to Senator Mohammed Saleh and a former staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna, Mohammed Ibrahim Matazu, lost his life from severe burns he suffered when his wife set him ablaze. It was further learnt that the deceased had a domestic quarrel with his second wife, who allegedly complained that he was spending too much time with his first wife in Kaduna.

Saturday Sun gathered that Matazu’s second wife, simply called Mummy, had complained bitterly as her husband was preparing to travel to Kaduna, saying that she would no longer bear her husband’s long absence from her in Abuja. Sources revealed that in an attempt to stop her husband from travelling on that day, she allegedly drew some fuel from a generator set, emptied it on her husband and set him on fire at their Gwarinpa residence, Abuja.

Matazu, already aflame, was said to have rushed out of the house, shouting for help. He was rushed to hospital. He died at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria, where he was later referred to, where he died on Thursday. According to the deceased’s younger brother, Engineer Magaji Ibrahim, “on Wednesday last week, my elder brother called me that he was coming to Kaduna from Abuja to represent Senator Mohammed Saleh at a meeting with the NNPC in Kaduna, and that the senator was travelling to Imo State for another engagement.

So on Thursday morning, I saw missed call on my phone, and I called the number back, only for the voice at the other end asking me if I was Matazu’s brother, and I said yes. “He now narrated to me what happened to my brother, saying that my brother rushed out of his room with fire all over his body. He said that neigbhours rescued him, adding that my brother’s wife came out of the house and, taunting my brother, she asked: ‘what can you do now?’ That was at about 9 am on Thursday.

“When neighbours asked my brother what happened, he said his wife that poured petrol on his body and set fire on him. It was at this point that the neighbours now grabbed the wife, and called the police to arrest her. They all left for the police station with her. She is simply called Mummy. “My brother too followed them to the police station, even with pains all over his body. It happened in Gwarinpa, Abuja, and the day he was preparing to go to Kaduna for the meeting.

He was later rushed to Zone 3, Wuse hospital. He was briefly treated there as his body was bandaged. But according to the doctor’s report, 77 percent of his body was severely burnt, though he was speaking and discussing with people. “Then the senator came and met us, and advised that we should take him to the National Hospital, Abuja, but by the time we arrived the hospital, they said there was no more bed for admission. Then we went to University of Abuja Teaching hospital, in Gwagwalada, only to be told that they were on strike.

It was at this point that we begged for an ambulance to enable us take him to 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. When we arrived 44 Hospital at about 10 pm, they started treating him, but we later moved to Giwa Specialist Hospital, and from there we took him to Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria based on the advice on doctors at 44 Hospital. “The doctors at Shika, about seven of them, tried their best and treated him, and my brother was actually responding to treatment.

He was passing stool normal, and he even told me that he will survive, that I should not be disturbed. But at about 4pm on Wednesday this week, one of my younger brothers called me and said, we should take heart and pray to God that Matazu had given up the ghost. So he was buried on Thursday this week at Kudenda burial ground. “The wife said she poured him the petrol because he was over staying with first wife in Kaduna. But my brother was always in Kaduna because of the assignment the senator gave him to do, that is borehole projects. So he used to spend 10 days before going back to Abuja.

He was going round the seven local governments to supervise the boreholes project the senator is embarking on in those areas. “And he was spending almost five days in Abuja before coming to Kaduna again. But the wife continues to complain that he did not spend enough days in Abuja. She was the second wife. He married her about a year ago, but she has no baby yet. The first wife gave birth to six children.

She is currently being detained at Wuse police station. We have nothing to say; we have left everything to law to take its due course.” Reacting to this, Senator Saleh said: “Ibrahim Matazu was a very pleasant and friendly personality. He contributed a lot to the development of our party, that is Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and in my legislative duty he did his best to contribute to the smooth running of my office.

He was actually the pillar of the office. This is a plain murder case; it is a case between the state and the accused. His wife, who committed this heinous crime, is in police detention now and I intend to follow through to ensure that justice is done. I don’t know if this case is a bailable one, but we will ensure that justice is done; we will do it.”

Senator Saleh, a retired Major General, who is representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), engaged Matazu as his senior aide soon after he won the election. Matazu also worked at Nagarta Radio, a Kaduna based electronic medium, after his short stint at FRCN.

The Nigerian Army has trained 2, 904 soldiers on counter terrorism .I guess Jack Bawer is among them.

The Nigerian Army has trained 2, 904 soldiers on counter terrorism at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) in Kontagora, Niger.

During the graduation ceremony on Friday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said the six-week intensive training in basic counter terrorism course was to prepare the soldiers for the challenges ahead.

He said checking the current security challenges required competent soldiers in all aspects of internal security duties.

Ihejirika said it was imperative that the soldiers should use all the combat proficiency skills they acquired during the training.

``In doing so, you must always adhere strictly to the rules of engagement as part of the nation’s overall security architecture.

``You are in the public glare and your conduct must be professional and tailored towards addressing the security situation you may encounter.

``You must adhere to all the rules and regulations, avoid rumour mongering and show concern to situations around you,’’ he said.

Ihejirika reiterated that the welfare of troops remained a priority toward the attainment of his vision for the Nigerian Army.

He said the army had continued to sustain the efforts aimed at rehabilitating the barracks to provide comfortable accommodation for soldiers and their families.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Centre, Maj.-Gen. Sylvester Audu, said the programme was designed to equip the soldiers with the required combat competences and leadership skills.

Audu said the training was designed to task them to the limit of their endurance, improve their knowledge and sharpen their combat techniques and confidence in handling threat situations.

``Your training has given you the required confidence to be capable of operating in all types of environment, under different threat scenarios,’’ he said.

In his remark, Brig.-Gen. Tijani Golau, the Director, Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgencies, said the soldiers were trained in the areas of skill at arms, road-block checking, house-breaking and clearing, search procedures, among others .

He said the 2, 904 soldiers, comprising 1, 869 males and 225 females, started the training on Jan 4. (NAN)

A female Tax Driver In Abuja

Curiosity. That was the main reason for choosing to ride in Ms. Aisha Umar’s taxi in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday. RASHEED BISIRIYU reports his encounter with the first female taxi driver in Abuja

Ms Aisha Umar has been a taxi driver in Abuja for over five years. Her handling of the vehicle is professional. She calls out for passengers and attends to matters relating to her job cheerfully and promptly too. She is never shy; and almost every day, she has had to answer questions, especially from many inquisitive male passengers. That, she does, courteously.

According to her, taxi business was the last thing on her mind when she dropped out of the university over 10 years ago.

She was in her second year studying Public Administration at the University of Abuja when she became pregnant.

Her initial plan was to take a break for one year to have her baby and then return to the school to complete her studies.

But the plan failed and that changed her course.

Today, Aisha, a 33 year old single parent, is a taxi driver in the FCT. She is the first lady taxi driver in the nation’s capital.

She was the only woman in the business for over five years until about six months ago when another lady took up the job at the FCT, apparently impressed by Aisha’s success.

And business has been good, she admits.

According to her, she pays her rents and takes care of the family with what she makes from the taxi.

Five years is a lot of time to perfect the commercial driving act and most people are not surprised that the lady handles the steering, driving around the city, picking and dropping passengers with a high level of dexterity.

Aisha, a mother of two, told our correspondent why she had to abandon her trading business and went into taxi business. She said it started by accident.

She had returned from Algeria, leaving her husband behind when it was obvious that the marriage would not work. She came back to Abuja with two kids, a boy and a girl.

She immediately went into trading and was dealing in clothing materials.

As a lively woman, many liked to patronise her.

She bought a car, a Nissan Sunny. It helped her to move the wares around, supply interested friends while she collected money later.

Only few paid for the materials on delivery; many bought on credit. The debt kept mounting and it was beginning to affect the business. She was fed up but she could not call it quits because there was no other means of survival.

One Saturday, she set out to meet some of her debtors. It was all stories, Aisha said. She became dejected. The fuel in her car was running low and she needed to top it up but there was no money.

As she was driving back home, dejectedly, a middle-aged man who appeared stranded, having waited for a cab for about an hour, flagged her down. Aisha stopped, almost absent-mindedly.

The guy asked if she could take him to Asokoro. She agreed and got N350 for the effort. And as soon as the man alighted from the car, another man entered and paid N400 for a journey of about the same distance. That was how it started.

She said, “At Wuse, a man stopped me and asked if he could help get more passangers into the car at N50 each and I accepted. And I got N250 on the short trip.

“That first day, I went home with N1,700, that was after I had filled my tank with N2,300 worth of fuel.”

The next day, she hit the road very early. And since then, she has not looked back.

Aisha has changed her car. It was in 2008, a year after she started the taxi business. She bought another Nissan Sunny for N650,000. It was an imported used car, but a newer model.

She has not set eyes on her estranged husband since they parted many years ago. But she is not bothered about that. As long as her taxi business is not hampered in any way that will affect the upkeep of her children, she is happy.
SOURCE: www.punchng.com/business/transport/why-i-operate-a-taxi-abuja-female-driver/

Nigeria Jumps In FIFA Rankings

Joseph Yobo with the AFCON trophy

With just five days to the end of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa,  Nigeria is reaping from the gold won by the Super Eagles at the AFCON.
The February edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking is dominated by the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. By claiming their third title, Nigeria  have not only ended a 19-year drought since they last won the tournament, but have also climbed 22 places from 52nd position in January to 30th in February - their best ranking since August 2010. On the African continent, Nigeria who are ninth last month are now third in the latest ranking. Beaten finalists at the Nations Cup, Burkina Faso, have moved up a massive 37 places to 55th in the world. Hosts South Africa (60th, up 25) have also enjoyed a significant leap of 25 places.
Although former Africa Cup of Nations winners Côte d'Ivoire (12th, up 2) bowed out at the quarter-final stage, last year's runners-up have achieved their best-ever world ranking (12th). Mali are second in Africa, while Algeria and Tunisia are fourth and fifth respectively.
However, the Elephants have not made it into the top ten in the world, where Spain (1st, unchanged) continue to reign supreme ahead of Germany (2nd, unchanged) and Argentina (3rd, unchanged). England (4th, up 2) complete the top four after their home win over Brazil.
The first matches of the latest round of CONCACAF qualifying matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil have resulted in improved rankings for nearly all of the teams involved, with Panama (42nd, up 4), Honduras (51st, up 8), Costa Rica (53rd, up 13) and Jamaica (56th, up 2) all making progress once again. Only the USA (32nd, down 4) have fallen in the ranking. Olympic champions Mexico remain in 15th place despite their goalless draw against Jamaica in the Aztec Stadium. Venezuela (45th, up 10) have returned to the top 50, which now contains all ten CONMEBOL teams.

Valentine's Day Fallout: Nigerian Couple Reconciles In Court

An estranged couple, which had been living apart for seven years, on Thursday abandoned their marriage dissolution bid and made peace before an Ikeja High Court.
Olorunloba Ogundipe and his hitherto separated wife, Tinuade, reconciled their differences before Justice Joseph Oyewole on St. Valentine's Day. Tinuade, 44, a civil servant, had sought to divorce her husband of 18 years, over alleged adultery on the man's part.
The petitioner, who resides at 2, Olu Akinde Avenue, Akinde Estate, Alakuko, had claimed that Olorunloba, 51, was having an illicit affair with a banker.
However, in the spirit of St. Valentine’s Day celebration on Thursday, the mother of three filed a notice of discontinuance of the case, saying that she had made peace with her husband.
She urged the court to grant the application.
Dismissing the suit, Oyewole commended the couple for its decision.
"You have made my Valentine's Day special; it is a big plus to this court," the judge said.
He advised other couples seeking to dissolve their unions to emulate the Ogundipes, and intensify efforts to sustain their marriages.

Oba Sent To Prison For Contempt

An Ota High Court, Ogun State, southWest Nigeria has sentenced Lasisi Kolapo Ogunseye to two months imprisonment for contempt.
Chief Fatai Alani Matanmi, the Onijoko of Ijoko-Ota filed the contempt charge against the convict on 17 May, 2012 at the Ota High Court.
In his application, Oba Matanmi alleged that after he had won several cases against the convict at the high court on the tussle for the stool of Onijoko of Ijoko-Ota, Ogunseye continued to ignore the judgments of the court and has been parading himself as Onijoko of Ijoko by attending public functions with the full regalia of an Oba.
Barrister S. O. Ola, the leading counsel for Oba Matanmi while moving the motion for the committal to prison of Ogunseye told the court that Ogunseye has been behaving as if he is above the law and has continued to flout court orders with impunity without regard to the rule of law, moreso, when he was properly served with all the court processes.
"He has refused to show up in court to answer to the contempt charge against him or send a representative," he added.
Ruling on the motion, the presiding judge, Justice Mobolaji .A. Ojo frowned at the attitude of Ogunseye, saying he thinks that he is above the law but the fact remains that the law is above everyone.
"I  hold that this is an appropriate situation in which the court may punish the contemnor for his contempt.
"This application therefore succeeds and it is granted as prayed. The respondent/party cited is guilty of the orders of this court. I hereby order that the respondent, Lasisi Kolapo Ogunseye, be arrested forthwith and remanded in prison custody for a period of 60 days in the first instance until he purges himself of his contempt of this court," the judge ruled.
Justice Ojo also ordered that a copy of the order should be served on the Area Commander, Nigeria Police, Ota, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, the Attorney-General of Ogun State and the Governor of Ogun State.
He concluded by saying "each and everyone of the above mentioned shall exercise his constitutional and statutory powers and authority to execute this order without delay."

Goldie Died Of Drugs-- Sources

BAYO ADETU
Nigeria's music diva, Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey, popularly known as Goldie, who died Thursday night may have died as a result of doping complications, close sources to her said.
She died last night at Reddington Hospital, Victoria Island, Lagos, and barely few hours after she arrived from Los Angeles, United States of America.

Goldie: shocking death

Goldie's death was confirmed yesterday by her management via her Facebook Page and Twitter handle. The post reads: "It is with heavy heart that I have to announce to you all that Goldie passed on this night (last night) shortly after arriving Lagos from Los Angeles. May her soul rest in the eternal peace of the Lord… Amin."
The main cause of her death is still sketchy as at time of filing this report. Goldie was said to have been rushed to Reddington Hospital by close friend, Denrele Edun from her Park View residence after she complained of headache.
But a source close to the music star confided in P.M.NEWS that Goldie died of complications from the use of drugs. "She had complications from the use of dope. I guess things went wrong this time around."
Another source also told P.M.NEWS this morning that "she had been into this drug stuff for some time now. I believe that contributed to her death." Goldie, who represented Nigeria at last year's Big Brother Amplified (BBA) in South Africa, is signed to Kennis Music.
Keke Ogungbe, the President of Kennis Music, confirmed the death of the songstress in a statement this morning. "On behalf of Kennis Music, I’m sad to officially confirm the shocking and untimely passage of Nigeria’s pop star, Goldie Harvey. With a deep sense of loss, we announce the shocking death of our darling music star, Goldie Harvey. Goldie, 31, died on Thursday after she complained of a severe headache at her Park View residence shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Award.

"She was rushed to her official hospital, Reddington, Victoria Island, Lagos, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. We consider this period a gloomy moment for us and the entire Nigerian music industry in view of the circumstance Goldie passed away, the abundance of talent she has exhibited in her but eventful music career and the various opportunities her trip to the United States of America would have availed her. She is survived by her father, step- mother, brothers and sisters."
The remains of Goldie, who hails from Ekiti State have been deposited at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital mortuary.
The deceased attended Green Springs Montessori Primary School and St. John's College, Palm Grove before moving on to the University of Sunderland where she studied Business Management.
She joined Kennis Music in 2010 and had her debut album, Gold. Some of her hit songs are "You Know It", "JawoJawo" and DTMB (Don't Touch My Body).
In her music career, Goldie received 10 awards, including Exquisite Lady of the year, Best Female Artiste award and City People Best Female Artiste of the year.
Goldie became the final celebrity to exit the BBA7 star game house in 2012 as the 3rd runner up.