National Conference: Another Delegate Slumps

Another tragedy occure on Tuesday as one of the delegates to the National Conference holding in Abuja, Ambassador Abubakar Abdulmumuni, on Tuesday slumped and had to be rushed to a hospital for proper medical attention.


Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Abdulmumuni, was speaking with journalists after the plenary session of the Conference a few minutes after 6 p.m when he collapsed.

He was immediately given first aid by medical personnel. But when it became obvious that the first aid might not revive him, he was taken away in a police ambulance for proper medical attention.


Abdulmumuni is the second delegate to collapse at the conference, the first being a representative of the Market Women Association, Ifeyinwa Ezenwa.


Incidentally, another retired AIG, Mamman Misau had died during the first week of the conference. He represented the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, ARPON.

Actress Monalisa Confirms Break Up, Releases Official Statement

Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda and her boyfriend of two years, Lanre Nzeribe ending their relationship. Monalisa  released an official statement via her publicist confirming the report. 

This is her Statement....

We regret to officially announce the resignation of Nollywood actress Monalisa Chinda from Monalisa Magazine, which also marks the end of her partnership with Mr. Lanre Nzeribe, due to irreconcilable professional differences.

Over the past few months, both parties have made concerted efforts to retain their partnership, to no avail, which led to their mutual agreement that a separation would be the best course of action.

Though she has, so far, committed so much time, energy and resources into the project, it is high time she moved on as she pursues renewed ethos to raise her standards of professionalism and focus on projects closer to her heart.

Monalisa Chinda extends her sincere appreciation to the entire staff of the company for the great working experience during the time being. She wishes Mr. Nzeribe and the staff all the best in their future endeavours.

She also wishes to express her profound gratitude to her wonderful fans for their unreserved support through the years. Thank you for your continued support as the Monalisa brand promises greater things to come.

Signed,
Management,
Mediawise Networks

(360nobs.com)

Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio Comes Under Fire in UK as Campaigners Call for Her Ban and Deportation

Campaigners for rights in the United Kingdom have called on the government to ban the Nigerian Pentecostal preacher, Lady Apostle Helen Ukpabio from entering the country. The campaigners have asked for her immediate deportation on the grounds that her messages/preaching is ‘harmful to the public.’

Helen Ukpabio, the self-styled woman of God and ‘witch-hunter’ once said any child who cried is a ‘servant of Satan.’ The 45-year old founder of Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries is reportedly currently in the UK, holding a number of church services which promote her belief in witchcraft and to offer help to those under ‘threat’ from wizardry.

Argentina is not our Problem - Stephen Keshi

The Super Eagles trainer has quashed talk of any fears for his team's World Cup Group F rivals after Albiceleste coach Sabella said everyone is afraid of his strike force

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has made light any insinuations that his team is afraid of World Cup Group F opponents Argentina.

Albiceleste coach Alejandro Sabella told Fifa.com in an interview early in the week that "our rivals will fear us, Argentina has an amazing frontline," in reference to their trio of strikers Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.

"If you know me, I don't fear people," Keshi has said in response. "I respect people but to fear is never a worry and I cannot see my team scared of any team. 

"We will go there in June and see what happens," the coach was quoted by Sporting Life.

Keshi also asked for prayers for his players to avoid injuries ahead of the tournament.

Argentina are set to be without Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago who picked up a grade two sprain at the weekend. He is set to be out for 60 days and would miss the World Cup.

The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Iran on June 15 before taking on Bosnia-Herzegovina and then Argentina in their final preliminary round game. (goal.com)

Brazil 2014: Keshi will lead Nigeria Team, says House of Reps

The lower House has turned down rumours that a foreign coach will be hired to take the Super Eagles to the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brazil

The House of Representatives Committee on Sports has confirmed that coach Stephen Keshi will be the man to lead Nigeriato the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Keshi, who led the Super Eagles to win a third Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa last year has been in the mix of chitchat claiming a foreigner will be employed to take charge of the team during the quadrennial football showpiece.

Speaking on this issue on Sunday in Abuja, Deputy Chairman of the committee Ayo Omidiran said tales about a foreign manager are not true while insisting the former Togo and Mali handler has what it takes to lead the Eagles to glory.

“Nobody is planning to hire a foreign coach or any coach at all to replace Keshi,” confirmed Omidiran.

“When I first heard about this, I made enquiries and the NFF said there was nothing of such. Let us take the NFF for their word. We should not push them to do it.

“Keshi is not new in coaching. He has taken other African countries to the highest level of football.

“I don’t know why anybody will say that Keshi is not qualified to take Nigeria to the World Cup. He will take Nigeria there.

“Let us allow Keshi to concentrate on his job. In football, there are no clear-cut results until the full time.

“Names on paper don’t produce results; it is a team game and unity of purpose is very important. Therefore, hard work and prayer will improve the lot of the Super Eagles”, she concluded.

Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to name his provisional squad for the competition which starts in June next week. (goal.com)

Nigerians Lambast Jonathan for Singing, Dancing At Campaign Rally While Nation Mourns Bomb Blast Victims

Nigerians have reacted with outrage over President Goodluck Jonathan's visit to Kano to welcome former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau, to the Peoples Democratic Party, a day after over 200 Nigerians were killed and several others were injured in a bomb blast in a suburb of Abuja.

Insensitive, irresponsible, terrible, and wicked are some of the words that have been used to describe the president's political visit to Kano.

"Let's face it, is it even proper, as a father, for the president to be dancing at a rally and clinking glasses at a chief's party just the day after?" said Betty Abah, journalist and activist. "What really would happen if he sends representatives while he pretends he's meeting security chiefs? Even if he doesn't care, is this even good for his image? What message is he sending out? He did same during the Centenary celebrations. How do you explain this crass insensitivity?"

Kwankwaso sweeps off President Jonathan’s feet in Kano

Yesterday President Goodluck Jonathan accused Governor Kwankwaso for embezzling his campaign money, Jonathan left Kano State for Aso Rock in Abuja. But the governor too was well prepared and as soon as Jonathan left, the governor led his state officials to sweep off Jonathan's feet from the ground he stepped on during his political rally.

 In the Hausa culture, when a broom is used to sweep off the departure of a guest, it is the highest expression of disdain for the visitor, according to Kabiru Mohammed, a Hausa linguist.

 Kwankwaso, who outrightly snubbed Jonathan and those who followed him to Kano, said: “I regretted voting for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 Presidential Election, as he has done nothing to move the nation forward. Only a few people are enjoying in Nigeria at the expense of the generality of the citizenry.”

Mayhem in Nigeria... By Masood

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia

One wonders what sort of satanic forces have gripped Nigeria in the last few years; there is no end to the widespread bloodshed despite government efforts to contain it. Last week Boko Haram, a terrorist organisation on the lines of the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, attacked a teaching college in northeast Nigeria, went on a killing spree, burned down the college library before proceeding to a village near the Cameroon border and killing 130 people, all unarmed civilians.

But this last Monday's blast is a fearful reminder for everyone — terrorists are no more confined to the remote northeast; they are moving towards major urban towns and centres. More than 70 people were killed in the bomb blast at a crowded bus terminal on the outskirts of the Capital, Abuja. This year alone more than 1,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in terrorist attacks. 

We regrettably watch Nigeria being pushed towards the chaos Pakistan has been witnessing for more than a decade — sectarian and religious hatred and intolerance, violation of women's and children's rights, kidnappings and killings of polio health workers; the list goes on.

We hope that we in Pakistan may be able to help Nigeria to come out of this crisis but we ourselves have surrendered by entering into peace talks with the Taliban on their terms. 

If Nigeria is going to make the same mistake, it should remember these terrorist organisations that thrive on religious ideologies cannot be talked into compromise and peace. They want complete territorial control. Is Nigeria ready for that?

Two dead, 293 missing in South Korea ferry capsize

 Two people—a male student and a female crew member—were confirmed dead as the vessel sank 20km off the southern island of Byungpoong

South Korean rescue teams, including elite navy SEAL divers, raced Wednesday to find up to 293 people missing from a capsized ferry carrying 459 passengers and crew—mostly high-school students bound for a holiday island.

Two people—a male student and a female crew member—were confirmed dead as the vessel sank 20km off the southern island of Byungpoong.

The government retracted an earlier announcement that 368 people had been rescued, and said it could only confirm that 164 people had been brought to safety.

“The remaining 293 are unaccounted for,” Lee Gyeong-Og, the vice-minister of security and public administration, told a press briefing in Seoul.

Only Genuine Reconciliation Required To End Bloodshed – Ribadu

Ex- chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Malam Nuhu Ribadu has said that only genuine reconciliation can end bloodshed in the country.

Ribadu who spoke at Marsa village, in Zangon Kataf local government area of Kaduna State, during funeral of Elder Peter Aruwan, father of Samuel Aruwan, a Kaduna-based journalist with Blueprint newspapers, said Nigerians must realize that bloodshed does not profit anyone; instead it desecrates the sanctity of human life as created by God, in addition to destroying communal relations that existed for centuries.

According to Ribadu, genuine and sincere reconciliation is paramount in stemming unjustifiable and unreasonable bloodshed.

He said, “It is important we tell ourselves the home truth since we are paying the last respects to a father who had made a lot of sacrifices for peace in our communities. Let us ponder  and ask ourselves: are we doing the right thing? Is this how things were with us many years ago despite religious and ethnic differences,” He said.

Ribadu said “What is the gain of all these killings, disparaging one another and destroying sanctity of the human life? What is the gain of peddling hatred and sentiments of all kinds?

“We must advance genuine and honest reconciliation; it is paramount and a basis of re-creating our communities. We must exhibit high sense of tolerance and as well patriotism to our country and extend love to our fellow citizens irrespective of our diversities. The earlier we start, the earlier we change our situation for good, for peace and development.”

Liverpool: Steven Gerrard faces 'biggest month ever'

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says the next month could be the biggest of his career as the Reds prepare to play "four cup finals" in their bid to win a first English title in 24 years.

They beat Manchester City 3-2 on Sunday and will take the Premier League title if they win their last four games.

"It's probably going to be the biggest month of my career coming up now. I'll give it everything I've got," he said.

"The message is to stay calm - there are still four cup finals left."

The 33-year-old England captain added: "I feel 21 again, playing with all these top players."

A one-club man, Gerrard has won the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup during his Reds career but a league winners' medal has eluded the midfielder, who made his top-flight debut in November 1998.

Nigeria Bomb Blast Update: Jonathan cancels Ibadan trip to visit bomb scene

More than 20 people were killed at the early hours on Monday, following bomb explosion affecting two fully loaded luxury busses at Nyanya Park on the outskirts of the capital city, Abuja.

Nyanya Motor Park is 33 kilometres from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Two luxury buses, each carrying about 50 passengers on their way to resume to their different offices in Abuja, were affected in the bomb blast.

No official figure has been released for causalities, but eye witnesses said over 20 are already dead.

Some passers-by also sustained different degrees of injuries.

Earlier before the bomb blast, the bubbly Nyanya Motor Park, was crowded with workers and people waiting to board vehicles to their different places of work and offices in Abuja.

Soldiers and bomb disposal experts have cordoned off the area over suspicion of an undetonated bomb, while people were warned not to move near the explosion scene.

Nigeria Bomb Blast kills dozens of people in Abuja Car Park

Dozens of people have been killed in two blasts that rocked a crowded bus station on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, officials say.

The blast happened as commuters were about to board buses and taxis to go to work in central Abuja, the BBC's Haruna Tangaza reports.

Eyewitnesses say there are dead bodies scattered around the area.

This may have been another attack by the Islamist militant group known as Boko Haram, correspondents say.

Eyewitness Badamsi Nyanya told the BBC he had seen 40 bodies being evacuated; other eyewitnesses say they saw rescue workers and police gathering body parts.

The blast ripped a hole four feet deep (1.2 metre) in the ground of Nyanya Motor Park, some 16km (10 miles) from the city centre, and destroyed more than 30 vehicles, causing secondary explosions as their fuel tanks ignited and burned, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Ambulances have been taking the dead and injured to nearby hospitals.

Eyewitness: "I was waiting to get on a bus when I heard a deafening explosion then smoke," she told Reuters.

"People were running around in panic."

Another eyewitness told the BBC: "I have never seen [anything] like that in my life. It was just terrible... We were just running helter-skelter. So somehow I think that they planted something inside one of the buses there.

"So there are many dead shot down at the scene of the accident. And as you can see now some of these casualties... we are hoping, we are praying they will be ok. We saw some ambulances bringing corpses to other hospitals."

He added it was difficult to estimate how many had been killed in the attack, but that there were many.

This year, Boko Haram's fighters have killed more than 1,500 civilians in three states in north-east Nigeria, says the BBC's Will Ross in Lagos.

Boko Haram has hit Abuja several times before, including an attack on the United Nations building in 2011.

The Nigerian government had said the violence was now contained in a small area of the north-east.    (bbc)