Eaglets victory shows indomitable spirit of Nigerians is alive – Buhari

ABUJA – President Buhari has said that the victory of the Golden Eaglets over Mali in the final match of 2015 Under-17 FIFA World Cup tournament in Chile on Sunday clearly indicated the indomitable spirit of Nigerians was still active.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president congratulated the team, saying that they had made Nigerians proud.

Nigeria’s players celebrate with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 trophy, at Sausalito stadium in Vina del Mar, on November 8, 2015. Nigeria defeated Mali 2-0. AFP PHOTO

According to him, the victory also showed that the country was making steady progress to occupy its pride of place in the world affairs.
The statement read thus: “On behalf of the Federal Government and millions of very happy and proud Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their victory over Mali in the final match of this year’s Under-17 FIFA World Cup tournament in Chile.
“President Buhari applauds the exemplary zeal, determination, commitment, hard work, patriotism and soccer artistry which the youthful Golden Eaglets put on display throughout the tournament to win the championship for a record fifth time.
“The President notes with delight that the Golden Eaglets not only won the coveted Under-17 FIFA World Cup, but they are also bringing home highly-valued individual awards such as the Golden Boot won by Victor Osimhen for being the tournament’s highest goal scorer and the Golden Ball, won by the team captain, Kelechi Nwakali for being the best player.
“President Buhari believes that by their triumph in Chile, the Golden Eaglets have shown the world that the indomitable Nigerian spirit is alive and waxing stronger.
“For the President, the Golden Eaglets’ latest victory on the global stage is an affirmation of the significant progress Nigeria is now making towards positively redefining and rediscovering its potential for greatness in the comity of nations.
“President Buhari trusts that if all other Nigerians imbibe and exhibit the doggedness, determination and patriotism displayed by their youthful compatriots in Chile, Nigeria will surely make faster progress towards becoming the strong, united, peaceful, secure and prosperous nation envisioned by its people.
“The President joins other proud Nigerians in awaiting the Golden Eaglets triumphant return to a heroes’ welcome from a joyous and grateful nation”.

All I care about now is money, notlove — Dimplez

Upcoming singing sensation, Seun Akinnuga, simply known as Dimplez, is looking set to change the face of the music landscape of the country, not only by her singing talent but also by her attitude which may get the likes of Tiwa Savage or Seyi Shay going green with envy. Dimplez has just dropped her latest single ‘Kowole’ which means ‘drop the money’ and it is getting everybody talking about the person inside the act, called Dimplez.

Dimplez marks ‘No Bra Day’

The song is a contemporary hip-hop sound of the street, with a lot of danceable beats spruced with frenetic lyrics. “ I don’t come looking for love tonight, Kowole” the chorus chimes. It is a song telling her man that her interest is not about love but money. This got Potpourri asking if Dimplez is really a cash-on-delivery kind of girl.
“ Yes o, it is because love has never been good to me. So, all I care about now is money” she brusquely told me when I asked if she believed more in money than love.
“You know what men are, they can never be trusted. They have thought me not to believe in love but what I can get for myself” she added.
Even though the chat was over the blackberry messenger, the bitterness in her answer was so palpable that I had to ask, “ any particularly heartbreak story?”
she answered, “ Yes o, many times”.

My husband’s friend is wonderful in bed, but…

I’ve been having an affair with one of my husband’s good friends for the past six months and I think I’m in love with him. He’s also married and we’re  good family friends.

Love-gone-sour

I’m really confused about the relationship as he carries on as if nothing is between us when we’re with other people, yet he shows a lot of passion in the bedroom.
In fairness to him, it all started out as a bit of fun and I’m sure that’s the way he still sees it. I daren’t tell him the way I feel in case he ends the affair. I also don’t want to seem pushy as he’s made no promises. I know he’s sexually attracted to me. But is that all?
Kuburat, by e-mail
Dear Kuburat,
Whether your lover feels love for you is not the point. Couples everywhere quietly fool around with one another’s closest friends. Apart from the thrills, these extramarital games usually have little emotional value and do not provide romance, let alone a happy new beginning.
The consequences of being found out are often immensely painful for everyone involved. There’s no doubt you have feelings for this adulterer – there’s always a feeling of lust between attractive partners when they have sex – it is elementary chemistry. Your husband’s friend is obviously using you for sex and he’s quite happy with the way things are. Put an end to this ‘party’ as soon as you can before you’re left with burnt fingers.

Biafra Protests: S-East govs, Ohanaeze to meet in Owerri

Disturbed by the rising activities of separatist groups in their geo-political zone, South-East Governors and the leadership of the apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, will be meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, this weekend, at the instance of the Governor Rochas Okorocha, to find a lasting solution to the recent agitations.

FILE PHOTO: The Indigenous People of Biafra on a Peaceful Protest over the Arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra, along Ikwerre road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

Okorocha, who had earlier denounced the activities of the pro-Biafra groups on behalf of the Southeast Governors and Igbo leaders, said the governors and leaders in the zone could no longer sit and watch the situation degenerate further, adding that the Igbo as a people cannot afford to have another Boko Haram in the region.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor noted that the pockets of protests across the zone and in other neighbouring states, organized by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), is highly embarrassing, disturbing and counter-productive.
He said, “The pro-Biafra protests could not be in the interest of the Southeast people but are only sending wrong signals to the rest of Nigerians. And it has become increasingly necessary for the governors in the zone, Ohaneze leaders and other stakeholders in the area to meet, to call a spade, a spade.
“It is also expected that at the end of the Owerri meeting, the governors and other leaders will take a common position and will also invite the leaders of the pro-Biafra groups for a meeting, to let them know the socio-economic and political implications of their activities including their demand for sovereignty in a united Nigeria.”

I was reliably informed my husband got married to another woman

A 42-year-old housewife, Mrs Rasheed Taiwo, on Monday asked an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage to her Husband, Tayo. Taiwo is seeking the dissolution on grounds of alleged desertion and lack of care for the children.
Taiwo, a resident of Oshodi 1, Elemi Afao road, Ado-Ekiti told the court that her husband had abandoned her and the children for more than ten years. The mother of three said the husband did not care about her welfare and the children.
She alleged that before her husband left the house, he was not taking care of her and the children.
Taiwo said she had been the one responsible for the feeding and education of the children. She said that she was reliably informed that her husband had got married to another woman.
She therefore prayed the court to dissolve the marriage. Taiwo also prayed the court to grant her the custody of her three children, Rukayat, 19; Barakat, 15; and Yusuf, 10.
The President of the Court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, said since the respondent failed to come to defend himself against the allegations, they were deemed admitted by him. Ogunsemi adjourned the case till Nov. 30 for judgment.

YOU CAN INVEST IN DUBAI

YOU CAN INVEST IN DUBAI

SPORT CITY

 Studios    : $190,578     

1 bedroom: $260,274

2 bedroom: $347,945

3 bedroom: $534,246

MOTOR CITY

   

 Studios    : $219,178     

1 bedroom: $328,767

2 bedroom: $492,753

3 bedroom: $674,921

IMPZ

 Studios    : $179,863     

1 bedroom: $223,698

2 bedroom: $295,000

3 bedroom: $457,534

SILICON OASIS

 Studios    : $187,128     

1 bedroom: $239,958

2 bedroom: $290,602

3 bedroom: $451,452

INTERNATIONAL CITY

 Studios    : $165,383     

1 bedroom: $199,150

2 bedroom: $255,000

3 bedroom: $420,549

JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS

1 bedroom: $402,383

2 bedroom: $602,739

3 bedroom: $684,931

DUBAI MARINA

1 bedroom: $565,743

2 bedroom: $740,726

3 bedroom: $931,506

4 bedroom: $2,739,726

BUSINESS BAY

1 bedroom: $561,643

2 bedroom: $791,780

3 bedroom: $1,013,698

4 bedroom: $2,232,835

DOWN TOWN

1 bedroom: $821,917

2 bedroom: $1,013,698

3 bedroom: $1,643,835

4 bedroom: $2,328,767

PALM JUMEIRAH

1 bedroom: $739,726

2 bedroom: $1,342,465

3 bedroom: $1,808,219

4 bedroom: $3,013,698

THE GREENS AND VIEWS

 Studios    : $287,671     

1 bedroom: $438,356

2 bedroom: $602,739

3 bedroom: $712,328

4 bedroom: $1,013,767

*Also note that prices a subject to change depending on market trend.

You can call or E-mail for more information

me on +2349091643565 or E-mail: kachicaf@gmail.com, onyeka_emma12@yahoo.com

YOU CAN INVEST IN DUBAI

YOU CAN INVEST IN DUBAI

SPORT CITY

 Studios    : $190,578     

1 bedroom: $260,274

2 bedroom: $347,945

3 bedroom: $534,246

MOTOR CITY

   

 Studios    : $219,178     

1 bedroom: $328,767

2 bedroom: $492,753

3 bedroom: $674,921

IMPZ

 Studios    : $179,863     

1 bedroom: $223,698

2 bedroom: $295,000

3 bedroom: $457,534

SILICON OASIS

 Studios    : $187,128     

1 bedroom: $239,958

2 bedroom: $290,602

3 bedroom: $451,452

INTERNATIONAL CITY

 Studios    : $165,383     

1 bedroom: $199,150

2 bedroom: $255,000

3 bedroom: $420,549

JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS

1 bedroom: $402,383

2 bedroom: $602,739

3 bedroom: $684,931

DUBAI MARINA

1 bedroom: $565,743

2 bedroom: $740,726

3 bedroom: $931,506

4 bedroom: $2,739,726

BUSINESS BAY

1 bedroom: $561,643

2 bedroom: $791,780

3 bedroom: $1,013,698

4 bedroom: $2,232,835

DOWN TOWN

1 bedroom: $821,917

2 bedroom: $1,013,698

3 bedroom: $1,643,835

4 bedroom: $2,328,767

PALM JUMEIRAH

1 bedroom: $739,726

2 bedroom: $1,342,465

3 bedroom: $1,808,219

4 bedroom: $3,013,698

THE GREENS AND VIEWS

 Studios    : $287,671     

1 bedroom: $438,356

2 bedroom: $602,739

3 bedroom: $712,328

4 bedroom: $1,013,767

*Also note that prices a subject to change depending on market trend.

You can call or E-mail for more information

me on +2349091643565 or E-mail: kachicaf@gmail.com, onyeka_emma12@yahoo.com

Salvaging the 2015 budget

ANXIETY over the economy has not abated even as both the Presidency and the Senate appear to be ready to put in place the federal cabinet and by extension the economic team of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
Economy analysts heaved a sigh of relief when the first batch of ministers was submitted to the Senate on Thursday, September 30, 2015 after four months of long-drawn anxiety as to the direction and character of the economy being contemplated by the new regime.
A key factor of interest is the regime’s lacklustre attitude to the budgetary and fiscal policy 2015/2016 left behind by the previous regime. While most stakeholders appear to have resigned to fate that 2015 budget is lost, every one of them is worried that 2016 is also looking bleak since nothing is being said by government less than three months to the new year.
Due to the long processes involved in the making of the federal annual budget, actions on the upcoming year’s budget usually start as early as July culminating in the presentation of the Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly by latest November.
Economists are concerned that at the pace of the current regime, the 2016 Appropriation Bill may not get to the National Assembly this year; a development which would worsen the economic decline recorded in 2015. No one even knows when the ministers in charge of the economy will start work.
Both local and foreign investors have blamed the currently depressed macro-economic indicators on the inability of the government to define its economic direction. They are waiting anxiously for the government to clarify the fate of this year’s budget and pave the way to that of next year. We expect that this should be the first things the next ministers in charge of the economy must attend to.
We expect the Budget Office and the Finance Ministry to be on this assignment as we await the resumption of the minister in order to fast track the process.
Budgetary pronouncements would galvanise positive sentiments in the minds of investors and the commercial class and stimulate economic activities as soon as possible.
It is noteworthy that a similar swift statement by the Ministry jointly with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the wake of the withdrawal of JP Morgan Index had saved the economy massive cash run.
The economy has grown weary of tension and depending mainly on speculations and the president’s “body language”.
We want the federal government to be up and running, and see what it can do to salvage this year’s Appropriation Law. Otherwise the year might pass without the budget being implemented at all.

Poor sanitation claims 800 children in Nigeria, says UNICEF

UNICEF says not less than 800 of about 1,400 child deaths Nigeria are caused by diarrhoea daily which could be attributed to poor sanitation and inadequate water.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief of Communication, UNICEF, Ms Doune Porter, on Thursday in Abuja and made available to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN).
It said that children at the first month of their lives were very vulnerable to diseases easily transmitted through unwashed hands.
“Over 800 of the approximately 1,400 child deaths from diarrhoea each day can be attributed to inadequate water, sanitation or hygiene.
“Infants in the first months of life are particularly vulnerable to diseases transmitted by unwashed hands,” it said.
According to the statement, an average of 82 per cent of people washes their hands before eating, while only 53 per cent of people washed their hands with soap after defecation.
It also said that only about 14 per cent of people washed their hands with soap after cleaning a child’s faeces which posed a serious public health risk.
“Regular hand washing with soap after using toilet, after changing children’s nappies and before eating or handling food saves more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention.
“It can reduce deaths from diarrhoea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter,” it said.
It added that hand washing with soap was also an important line of defence against the spread of Ebola in Nigeria which needed to be sustained to prevent other communicable diseases.
However, UNICEF in the bid to curb poor hand washing practice would collaborate with partners to reach at least 10 million Nigerians through high profile hand washing demonstrations in schools and communities.
NAN reports that Global Hand Washing day is commemorated on Oct. 15 yearly.

Mourinho mocks FA, says ban ‘a disgrace’

Jose Mourinho has rebuked the Football Association for perceived inconsistencies in its disciplinary process.
Mourinho was handed a one-match suspended stadium ban and fined £50,000 on Wednesday evening after accepting a misconduct charge from the Football Association for comments he made on the officials in the wake of the 3-1 loss to Southampton on October 3.
“I’m happy that I don’t have an electronic tag,” said the Chelsea boss, who was speaking at Waterstones Piccadilly to promote his book MOURINHO.
“£50,000 is a disgrace. The possibility of getting a stadium ban is astonishing.”
Mourinho felt aggrieved Wenger went unpunished for calling referee Mike Dean “weak” and “naive” following Arsenal’s defeat to Chelsea last month.
Yet the Portuguese was sanctioned for his criticism of Robert Madeley, the official in the loss to Saints.
Wenger also escaped punishment for pushing Mourinho in the Stamford Bridge technical area in October 2014, something which still grates with the Chelsea boss.
“The difference between afraid and weak and naive is £10,000 and one-match stadium ban,” said Mourinho, who will be banned from the stadium if he speaks out of turn again in the next 12 months.
“Afraid costs £50,000. Weak and naive – you can do it.”

The difference between afraid, weak, naive is £10,000 – Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on the Football Association after the Chelsea manager was fined and given a one-match suspended stadium ban.
Mourinho was fined £50,000 ($77,000/68,000 euros) on Wednesday after accepting a misconduct charge from the English FA for comments he made about the officials in the wake of a 3-1 loss to Southampton in the Premier League on October 3.

Mourinho

He was unhappy that referee Robert Madley had refused to award Chelsea a penalty for Southampton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s challenge on Radamel Falcao.
Following the news of the FA’s decision, Mourinho made it clear he is furious he has been punished, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has escaped any discipline for his own recent comments about officials.
“I’m happy that I don’t have an electronic tag,” said Mourinho, who was speaking at an event in London to promote his book MOURINHO on Thursday.
“£50,000 is a disgrace. The possibility of getting a stadium ban is astonishing.”
Mourinho is aggrieved his old rival Wenger went unpunished for calling referee Mike Dean “weak” and “naive” following Arsenal’s defeat to Chelsea last month.
Wenger also escaped censure for pushing Mourinho in the Stamford Bridge technical area in October 2014, something which still grates with the Chelsea boss.
“The difference between afraid and weak and naive is £10,000 and one-match stadium ban,” said Mourinho, who will be banned from the stadium if he speaks out of turn again in the next 12 months.
“Afraid costs £50,000. Weak and naive – you can do it.”
In a clear reference to Wenger, whose infamous shove on Mourinho followed an angry touchline row, the Blues boss added: “We can push people in the technical area.”
Mourinho’s latest outburst comes after Chelsea felt obliged to issue a statement in support of their manager following the champions’ slump to 16th in the Premier League.
He has had to endure reports of a dressing room mutiny against his management amid Chelsea’s worst start to a season for decades.

Buhari in closed door meeting with Abdusalami

ABUJA – Former Military Head of State, Gen. Abudusalami Abubakar Thursday held a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The meeting which held in the president’s office in the presidential villa lasted for about 30 minutes upon the arrival of the former Head of State at about 3:30.
Abubakar did not however speak to Journalists after the meeting as it was said to be a private meeting between him and the president.
It was not known whether the visit of Abdusalami who is the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, set up by former president Goodluck Jonathan to midwife a peaceful 2015 general election had the trappings of the Committee’s assignment.

Photo: DSP Alamieyeseigha last moments in hospital

One of the family members of the late pioneer civilian governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Solomon Alamieyeseigha, has published a photo reflecting the former governor’s last moments of life at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Rivers State.
Ziworitin Alamieyeseigha, said to be the cousin of the late “Governor General of Ijaw nation” took to his Facebook page to share a selfie photo he took with Alams dying on life support at the Port Harcourt teaching hospital.

Ziworitin Alamieyeseigha takes a selfie with DSP Alamieyeseigha on life support in the background

Alamieyeseigha died in the teaching hospital, last Saturday, at the age of 63, after a brief illness, which family sources said may not be unconnected to the alleged recent request for his extradition by the UK.
The request it was said may have triggered the rise in blood pressure which led to his death. However, the UK authorities have since denied that it requested to extradite the late ex-governor.

I’m like a fine wine, says Ibrahimovic

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes he’s getting better with age, rather like fine wine, the 34-year-old said Thursday.

Ibrahimovic

“Even if I’m getting older I feel I’m still getting better,” said Ibrahimovic, who recently became Paris Saint Germain’s leading ever goal-scorer when he took his tally to 110 from 137 games.
“I’m still here doing what I have to do and doing it better and better,” he said.
“I’m like a fine wine that gets better with age. I don’t feel like a man in decline. Mentally I’m getting stronger.
“And I’m still hungry for more, which will help me achieve my objectives,” he told the PSG website.

Time to build cattle ranches

 


CLASHES between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in various parts of the country have become alarming. They now constitute a grave threat to national peace and security. To pretend otherwise will amount to self-deception. No week passes without an incident. Each incident joins a long list of hun­dreds of similar ones. Even after the sensational kidnapping and release of the former Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae, a few weeks ago, several fresh incidents have occurred in Benue and Plateau states.
Although the Association of Fulani herdsmen has denied responsibility for Falae’s abduction, killings of people in farming communities by herdsmen are not exactly new in the country. The problem is traceable to the herdsmen’s practice of grazing their cattle in farms along their grazing routes without the consent of farm owners. This activity, which often leads to destruction of farm products, is nothing but criminal trespass.
The provisions of the Nigerian Con­stitution and the African Charter of Rights on freedom of movement should not be construed as a licence for herds­men or any other group of people to trespass on the property of other per­sons, or to wreck their sources of liv­ing. Citing these documents in defence of trespass on farming communities is disrespectful of the feelings of ag­grieved farmers.
We believe that the escalation of herdsmen/farmers’ clashes is a result of the failure of the Federal Govern­ment, past and present, to address the problem. The primary responsibility of the government is the protection of life and property. A situation in which hun­dreds of persons are massacred during clashes between herdsmen and farm­ers without the government doing any­thing decisive to stop is not merely an abdication of responsibility, it is a tacit invitation to chaos. It is also creates room for global attention and interven­tion. International humanitarian law forbids massacres of a people by any group under any pretext.
Some reports have put the number of persons killed during farmers and herdsmen’s clashes between January and July 2015 at 761. The failure to prosecute those responsible for such killings is prima facie evidence in the international community that the vic­tims can no longer count on Nigeria’s judicial system to protect them, and would therefore need concerted inter­national protection. In other words, the mindless killings qualify to attract international intervention, including investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Going forward, we think the time has come for herdsmen to develop ranches for their cattle. This is long overdue. They have every right to make a liv­ing but it should not be by destroying other people’s means of livelihood. Herdsmen are in business to thrive and prosper. So are farmers. Farm­ers do not owe herdsmen a living and ought not to be expected to sacrifice their crops to feed the cows of herds­men.
The Federal Government should urgently outlaw uncontrolled graz­ing across state borders. It should assist the nomadic herdsmen to set up ranches to take care of the needs of their cattle. Nomadic cattle rear­ing should either cease or be confined to the states which have a nomadic culture. It should not be imposed on parts of the country which do not have that culture.
Considering what has been hap­pening in the country in the past five years, Nigeria must quickly find an al­ternative to nomadic cattle rearing. Failure to do this will continue to fuel crisis which will do great harm to the country. It will detract from rather than build on our efforts at national unity.
Although the Falae affair mostly generated protests in the South West region, those concerns are shared across the entire Southern regions and the North Central. Setting up ranches cannot be such a herculean task considering the fact that many ranches are already in existence all over the country. Besides, the country has a good number of universities of agriculture with abundant manpower and expertise to help set up ranches.
The problem of itinerant herdsmen is a ticking time bomb. Ignoring it or treating it with levity will be at a great risk to the country. Let the govern­ment give this issue the urgent atten­tion it deserves to ensure peace, order and fraternal relationship between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the country.

 




An Akure High Court Thursday ordered that five suspected kidnappers of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olui Falae, be remanded at Olokuta prison custody.
The suspects that were arraigned amidst tight security were Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibarahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal.
Justice William Rotimi Olamide issued the order for the remand of the suspects.
The suspects were arraigned on five count charge bordering on counselling one another for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting, aiding and abetting, kidnapping, conspiracy and armed robbery.

NTA, AIT treated us unfairly during the 2015 presidential campaign — Buhari

 
President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his gratitude to Nigerians for his victory at the general elections saying he emerged winner against all odds.
Speaking at The Red Media Summit in Lagos, Thursday,‎ Mr. Buhari said that he won the election in spite of the deployment of state and media forces against him.
“Muhammadu Buhari’s goodwill greetings to you is on account of the fact that he won an election that many people thought he was not going to win,” said Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
“Americans say that elections are won on the dollar. It’s very improbable that anybody can win an election without money. We didn’t have advertising money on our campaign. Even with the little money we spent on advertising, the Nigerian Television Authority was not making slots available to us, neither was AIT.
“I remember on a particular night I called NTA, they had 16 slots of one minute ads and I said I wanted to buy one minute for the Buhari campaign, they said all 16 had been sold.
“Some other instances that exposed the partisan nature of the NTA: money was returned to us, and from AIT money was returned to us. They simply won’t advertise for us.”
Mr. Shehu expressed the presidency’s gratitude to Statecraft, an arm on The Red Media, for ‎”selling an unlikely candidate to a very skeptical nation.”
“The day there was a security siege at my home, I woke up to see that my house had been surrounded by armed policemen in the course of the campaign,” Mr. Shehu said.
“In fact it was the cocking of their guns that roused me and my family members from sleep. Only to discover that tens of policemen, police vehicles, and some other unidentified vehicles darkened the windows around my home.
“The first thing I did was to say ‘Who will help me out of this situation?’ I needed to expose what was going on, and the‎ first man I reached was Adebola Williams of Statecraft. Adebola began to announce on Facebook and Twitter from that moment until the security elements realized that the whole world was looking at what they were doing, because I remained indoors throughout the siege.
“Of course it was much later that we came to know why they had come. Even the APC Presidential Campaign was penetrated by fifth columnists, and I will make this confession, because a day before that siege we had had a meeting with the security committee at which we agreed that we were going to run a story announcing that the National Security Adviser at that time, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, was staging a second coup d’etat against Muhammadu Buhari.
“The former National Security Adviser was involved in a coup that threw out Muhammadu Buhari as military president in 1984.
“This time around, all the things that followed, the postponement of the election on account of this and that and a lot of the thinking of the campaign was that this was yet another coup being hatched by the National Security Adviser and we eventually discovered that this siege on our homes was to pre-empt the story.‎”
Earlier, Biodun Shobanjo, the Chairman of the occasion, said the media landscape in Nigeria had changed over the decades.
‎”In 1975, it cost N16 for a billboard advert. Today it is between N7 million and N10 million,” said Mr. Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings.
“In the past it was easy because you had 8-10 media platforms, today, it is so difficult to plan how to reach the consumer.”

Tips for succeeding in business

I am often asked how I got to where I am, and how the Virgin brand achieved all that it has. While there are no shortcuts to success, certain attitudes and actions can help. Here are my top 10 tips for doing business the Virgin way:
Follow your dreams
You will live a much better life if you pursue your passions. People who work on the things that they love usually enjoy life more than everyone else does, simply because they are chasing their dreams.
Do some good
If you aren’t making a difference in other people’s lives, you shouldn’t be in business – it’s that simple. Companies have a responsibility to make a difference in the world: They owe this to their community, their staff, their customers, everyone. The amazing part is that doing good is also good for business.
Believe in your ideas
Give your venture everything you’ve got. A passionate commitment to your business and personal objectives can make all the difference between success and failure. If you aren’t proud of what you’re doing, why should anybody else be? And don’t get suckered into blindly pursuing profits and growth. If you stay focused on being the best at what you do, it’s more likely that the rest will follow.
Have fun along with your team members
Fun is one of the most important – and underrated – components of any successful venture. If you’re not enjoying yourself, it’s probably time to call it quits and try something else. If your employees are engaged and having fun, and they genuinely care about your customers, they will enjoy their work more and do a better job. Hire people who look for the best in others, who lavish more praise than they dole out criticism, and who genuinely love what they do.
Don’t give up
On every adventure that I have undertaken – whether it was setting up a business, flying around the world in a balloon or racing across an ocean in a powerboat – I have faced difficult moments when the easiest thing to do would have been to throw in the towel and walk away. But you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve by tenaciously sticking to your goals. When you fail, get back up, brush yourself off and try again.
Listen, take notes and keep setting new challenges
If you don’t write down your own (and others’) spontaneous ideas, they can vanish in the blink of an eye. So be sure to keep track of your goals: make lists. And remember to listen more and talk less. You’ll be amazed at the obstacles a listening culture can overcome.
Delegate and spend more time with your family
The art of delegation is one of the key skills that entrepreneurs must master. Be sure to “hire to your weaknesses.” Bringing on people who can do the tasks you aren’t particularly good at can free you up to plan for your company’s future. This strategy also allows you to spend more time with your family, which is really the most important thing of all. And don’t forget to ask your family for input on your latest big idea – like I should have done before we launched Mates condoms, for instance.
Communicate and collaborate
Keep it simple, and above all else, work and play with others. Mushrooms might grow when they are kept in the dark and fed a diet of dung, but that strategy doesn’t work with people. The Apple co-founder Steve Jobs  and companies like Pixar built open work environments that invited intermingling and the sharing of visions – you need that atmosphere too.
Get out there
Don’t sit in front of a screen all day. Switch everything off and venture out into the world regularly. If you’ve been neglecting this part of life, start with your own backyard, then expand your field of vision. With so many fascinating people to meet, exciting adventures to embark upon and rewarding challenges to undertake, there’s no time to lose. As the saying goes, life isn’t a dress rehearsal.
Do what you love
As long as you are surrounded by the people you love and you’re doing what you love, it really doesn’t matter where you live or how much money you make. When we are on Necker Island, my family tends to spend most of our time in the kitchen together. If you have a roof over your head and a partner you love, you really don’t need too much more.

Flavour gets raunchy at Macufe Festival

Everyone knows Flavour is a born entertainer who goes the extra mile to excite his fans. The father of one who has been romantically linked with Chidinma recently performed at the Macufe Festival held in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

During his performance, he decided show off vulgar side   by getting raunchy with a dancer on stage. A photo of a dancer twerking on him is currently causing frenzy online.
One of his fan said this on instagram :  “This your dance ehn, am sure you are wearing two pants. Another puts it this way: “This lap dance bad ooo. Bros take it easy”
This won’t be the first time a Nigerian artiste will be going this far with a woman on stage.Dbanj and Patoranking have also done this in time past.

Diamond Platnumz beats Davido, Yemi Alade to MTV EMA 2015 Best African Act Awards

MTV Base (DStv channel 322) today revealed that Diamond Platnumz is the winner of the 2015 MTV EMAs Best African Act.
Scores of music fans visited mtvema.com to vote for Diamond Platnumz, who beat incredible competition from AKA, Yemi Alade, Davido, and DJ Arafat.
Diamond Platnumz will now go up against the winning act from India to be named Best Africa/India Act – and you can help him win. Voting is now open on mtvema.com until24 October at 23:59 CAT.
Diamond Platnumz follows in the footsteps of previous Best African Act winners Sauti Sol (2014), LCNVL (2013), D’Banj (2012 & 2007), Freshlyground (2006) and 2Face (2005).
Host Ed Sheeran and co-host Ruby Rose will be taking charge of this year’s MTV EMAs, which will broadcast live across the globe on Sunday 25 October at 22:00 CAT from the Mediolanum Forum in Milan.
The talent list is heating up for what is set to be an explosive edition of the MTV EMAs, with Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran & Rudimental, Ellie Goulding, Jason Derulo,twenty one pilots, Martin Garrix, Afrojack, Tori Kelly, James Bay, Jess Glynne and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis previously announced as performers.