Stephen Ladoye's Blog: December 2016

31 December 2016

Willian extends Chelsea run, Pogba sinks Boro

Willian scored twice as Chelsea claimed a record-equalling 13th consecutive Premier League victory by beating Stoke City 4-2 on Saturday to provisionally move nine points clear at the summit.

Stoke twice hit back to level after falling behind at Stamford Bridge, but Willian’s second goal and a late Diego Costa strike saw Chelsea match Arsenal’s run of 13 wins within the same season from 2001-02.

Antonio Conte’s side pulled nine points clear of second-place Liverpool, who host third-place Manchester City later in the day in an explosive climax to the calendar year.

Manchester United came perilously close to seeing their own winning streak end, only for late goals by star signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba to secure a 2-1 home win over Middlesbrough.

9 things Nigerians expect from Buhari in 2017

Nigerians cannot wait for the year to be over. People are already counting the hours to the end of 2016.

It has been a tough year for the country and Nigerians are hopeful that 2017 will be a better year.

Nigerians have been patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government but they are running out of patience. They are tired of excuses and want action.

Here are the things Nigerians expect from Buhari in 2017.

1. Security

Nigerians want an end to insurgency. They are tired of the bombings and killings. So far, the war against Boko Haram has been yielding great results but the people want the insurgents to be defeated completely. Nigerians also want a lasting solution to the Fulani herdsmen attacks on innocent citizens. They want an end to the kidnappings. People want to live their lives without the fear of being kidnapped or attacked.

Ronaldo previously held the title as the world’s most expensive player in 2009 when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid in an £80m move before Gareth Bale, and more recently Paul Pogba, took the mantle.

The deal to take Ronaldo to China would have nearly tripled to fee United paid for Pogba this summer, while the salary on offer of £1.65m-a-week would have blown his current £288,000-a-week out of the water.

However, Jorge Mendes insisted that it would be “impossible” to sign the four-time Ballon d’Or winner and that his heart belongs to Real Madrid.

There are a number of money-savings tips and techniques you can use to grow the balance in your bank accounts. These are applicable to various types of accounts you may have, whether savings or current.

However, savings accounts are among the oldest and most traditional of all bank accounts, and they can help you reach short and long-term savings goals. When you put your money in a savings account, the bank will typically pay you interest on your funds. One of the most sensible money saving tips you can follow is to put away a certain amount of money each month to build up your nest egg.

Everton set to seal £10m Ademola deal

Everton expect to complete a £10m deal for Charlton’s 19-year-old forward Ademola Lookman early in the January transfer window, BBC Sport reports.

Director of Football Steve Walsh has made the signing a priority and the move is likely to go through quickly as manager Ronald Koeman starts what is expected to be a busy January.

Lookman scored his seventh goal of the season in Charlton’s 1-0 win at MK Dons on Boxing Day.

He was also linked with Crystal Palace.

There is no agreement among money managers as to how many bank accounts an individual or family should have. Experts have come up with various numbers.

According to funcheaporfree.com, there are five bank accounts every family must have if they seek to manage their finances effectively.

Most families have one savings account and one current account. This has been the norm since dinosaurs roamed the earth. While it works well for many, it is believed that having only one or two bank accounts can make it harder to keep track of your money.

Trump appoints Nigerian as strategist on his economic policy team

United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has tapped a Nigerian investment banker, Bayo Ogunlesi, to serve as a strategist on his economic policy team.

The 16-member group will be led by Stephen Schwarzman of the American equity firm, Blackstone, CNN reported on Friday.

Mr. Ogunlesi, a private equity tycoon, will serve as a member of the board, which also included CEOs of General Motors and IBM.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday he will not be a “dictator” in discussions over his proposal to expand the World Cup finals from 32 to 48 teams.

“I strongly believe in that, but obviously I’m not a dictator,” Infantino told the closing session of the Dubai International Sports Conference.

“This is something that needs to be discussed. When discussed with the associations in the summits they were overwhelmingly in favour, but more discussions will have to take place,” he said.

Infantino’s proposal for a 48-team World Cup in 2026, featuring 16 groups of three, will be submitted to the FIFA Council next month. A 40-team World Cup is also on the table.

American billionaire offers scholarships to Chibok schoolgirls

Black American billionaire, Mr. Robert Smith

A black American billionaire, Mr. Robert Smith, has volunteered to sponsor the education of 24 girls from Chibok community, including the 21 recently rescued ones.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, made this known to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said beneficiaries of the scheme include the first set of escapees from Boko Haram insurgents.

According to him, the girls will be admitted through negotiation at the American University of Nigeria, Yola.

The rejuvenated midfielder was at the heart of City’s 3-0 win at Hull on Boxing Day which kept them in title contention.

Toure was restored to the Manchester City side by boss Pep Guardiola at Crystal Palace last month and he marked his recall with a match-winning brace.

Before his return, the Ivorian’s main contribution to City’s season had been as the subject of a spat between the manager and his own agent, Dimitri Seluk.

No, I’m not an Atheist and I believe Religion is very Important – Mark Zuckerberg

If you follow Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg on the social networking platform, you’d have noticed that he replies to comments made on any of his posts himself.

Yesterday was no different. After he posted his Christmas message to his followers, some of them began to ask questions bordering on faith and family.

Zuckerberg had posted:

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from Priscilla, Max, Beast and me!

Seeing the moments of joy and family shared on Facebook today is one of my favorite things about our community.

I hope you’re surrounded by friends and loved ones, and that you have a chance to reflect on all the meaningful things in your life.

A bomb from World War II was discovered in Germany. The discovery led to the evacuation of 54,000 people from their homes on Christmas Day.

The British Bomb was found in the City of Augsburg and led to the biggest mobilization in Germany since the war itself.

The Bomb was discovered on Tuesday during work at a construction site in the center of the Bavarin city.

The Augsburg mayor Kurt Gribi advised residents living in the area to evacuate the place and make sure their families and loved ones are out of the zone.

This is clearly an unusual Christmas Day for the residents of Augsburg who are forced to spend Christmas away from home.

70 years after the end of the war, unexploded bombs are still found buried in German soil.

Credit: The Punch

Ibrahimović on song as Man United thrash Sunderland 3-1

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 17th goal of the season as Sunderland manager David Moyes was condemned to a 3-1 defeat on his return to Manchester United on Monday.

Dutch defender Daley Blind opened the scoring in the 39th minute at Old Trafford with his first Premier League goal since September 2015.

Late strikes from Ibrahimovic — his 50th for club and country in 2016 — and substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who scored with an audacious back-heel, confirmed victory.

If you could predict the future, how would you do things differently? When business decision makers in Nigeria and around the world, were polled recently, about 66 per cent of them said competition from digital start-ups was incentivising them to invest in Information Technology infrastructure and digital skills leadership.

This is understandably so. The last couple of years have been tumultuous to say the least. Every blockbuster has its Netflix. Expect even more disruption to come down the pike. Established companies are being outmaneuvered and out-innovated by digital start-ups in Nigeria. Nearly one in two don’t even know whether they’ll be around in three to five years’ time.

For those of us with sickle cell, you know we know it has not been an easy road for us. Today, I want to talk about the issue of relationships. We are at an age where anyone can go into a hospital or clinic and ask for a blood test. So, why would we not do it, and say that with love or by faith, all will be well?

A lot of children have been brought to the world that should not have been born and suffered all through their lives with sickle cell disease, including yours truly. My parents did not do a blood test when they got married and, to be totally honest with you, I resented my mum for that for quite a while.

Nigerians need inspirational music to cope with recession –Lara George

From her days in the extinct girl group, Kush, Lara George has always had a powerful voice. Even when she ventured out on her own and became a solo artiste, she was still reckoned with in the music industry.

Having given over 13 years of her life to the Nigerian entertainment industry, it is safe to say Lara has paid her dues. However, she is not a happy woman at the mo

The entire team at Stephen Ladoye's Blog wishing you all an amazing and glorious Christmas celebration. Hope you get all that you wish for!
Merry Christmas!

24 December 2016

Five things to know about Bethlehem

Bethlehem, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, is the “little town” where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born and it attracts thousands of pilgrims at Christmas.

Located just 10 kilometres (six miles) from Jerusalem, and hosting holy sites of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, it has not been spared the fallout of the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Oscar set for record-breaking Shanghai move

Chelsea’s Oscar said he was looking forward to joining his “new family” on Friday after Shanghai SIPG sealed terms on what will be China’s fifth Asian-record signing in less than a year.

The 25-year-old Brazil midfielder, snared for a reported £60 million (70.5 million euros), becomes just the latest top player in his prime lured to the mega-rich Chinese Super League.

He is due to finalise the deal in Shanghai in the “coming days”, said the Chinese club, which is coached by ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The name "Theorist" could be new to you, especially in the field of music play but most definitely when it comes to ground-breaking events and achievements in the palace of academics,theorist ain't new in this feat.He loves engaging impossibility and application of research work to the real life situation.

Real names ISIAQ A. OMOTAYO better known as "Theorist" is a serving lecturer at the department of political science university of Ilorin,Ilorin,Nigeria,who through the works of research delve into HipHop music,earning himself a place in history as the first lecturer hiphop artist in Africa.

A highly placed source in the APC revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari is set to compensate Tinubu for the losses he incurred and suffered while supporting his associates in various positions both in the federal and state levels.

The source said Buhari will use the imminent change of some cabinet members to include some of Tinubu’s ‘boys’ in his government to placate the former Lagos state governor.

Christmas: Abuja Parks, Gardens ready for fun seekers

Parks and recreation owners in Abuja have geared up preparation ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebration to make brisk business.

Some of the parks visited by the News Agency of Nigeria have received decorations and make-up in anticipation of an influx of fun seekers during the yuletide.

With Monday and Tuesday declared by the Federal Government as public holiday in commemoration of the Christmas celebration, such spots are expected to be full to capacity with fun seekers.

The Federal Government has declared Monday, December 26, and Tuesday December 27 as public holidays to mark the Christmas and Boxing Day.

Government also declared Monday, January 2, 2017 as public holiday to mark the New Year

The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho: I'd sign a new Man Utd deal right away, even if China money is…

Jose Mourinho says he would sign a new contract at Manchester United without thinking twice, despite admitting the money in Chinese football is "attractive".

The Portuguese manager took over at Old Trafford in the summer from Louis van Gaal, and has his side sitting in sixth place after a mixed start to his stint.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News HQ, the 53-year-old admits that while the money in Chinese football is attractive, he is too young and loves working at United too much to consider leaving, adding that he would sign a new contract "without his advisers".

Osun Government is to offer free train service during the Christmas and the New Year for its citizens who will be coming home from Lagos.

Mr Semiu Okanlawon, Media Aide to Gov. Rauf Aregbesola said this in a statement on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Okanlawon said that the train would leave Lagos to Osogbo by 11a.m. on Dec. 24 for the Christmas celebration and return to Lagos on Dec. 27 by 11a.m. respectively.

Tekno has been disqualified from the Headies.

The singer who was nominated for the ‘Next Rated’ has been kicked off the list.

The category will now be tightly contested by Ycee, Aramide, Humblesmith and Mr Eazi, as the ‘Pana’ hit star misses out on the chance.

According to top sources, Tekno lost out on his spot due to his refusal to honour the category and support the campaign.

Pat Nevin reckons Chelsea star Victor Moses could play upfront against Bournemouth.

The 25-year-old returned to Stamford Bridge this summer following three seasons out on loan.

And he was expected to be sold by Antonio Conte as the Italian freshened up the squad he inherited from Jose Mourinho.

However, Moses has been able to secure a starting berth as a right wing-back in his gaffer’s new look 3-4-3 system.

UNIZIK student crowned 40th Miss Nigeria

Chioma Obiadi Stephanie, a 21-year-old geology student of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Akwa, has been crowned the 40th Miss Nigeria.

In a keenly contested competition, which held on Monday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Chioma beat 36 other ladies to emerge winner of the pageant.

Miss Puerto Rico Stephanie del Valle is crowned Miss World 2016

A teenage student from Puerto Rico has been crowned Miss World 2016, beating runners-up from the Dominican Republic and Indonesia, as well as more than 100 beauties from around the globe.

Stephanie del Valle, 19, stole the coveted crown at the pageant held at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Sunday.

Crowned by Miss World 2015 Mireia Lalaguna of Spain, a tearful Miss del Valle said it was an 'honour and a great responsibility' to represent her Caribbean homeland.

Miss del Valle is a communications studies student who speaks Spanish, English and French, and dreams of getting into the entertainment industry.

Pictured is the wife of the President Aisha Buhari with her children, Halima, Yusuf and Zahra Indimi

Nigerians react as MMM launches in Kenya, Ghana

The creation of the Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox in Kenya and Ghana, approximately 48 hours after its activities in Nigeria was suspended for a month, has caused increased panic among Nigerian MMM participants.

The wife of Chuddy Ugorji, a leading MMM Nigeria promoter, Chiamaka Ugorji, attempted to calm nerves by writing an open letter to participants, but this failed to reassure Nigerians that their investments were safe.

Some individuals, on Monday in Abuja, shared their thoughts on the issue.

A civil servant, Charity Okafor, said “I participated in the scheme twice by investing N500,000 and one million naira respectively and I got my money back with the large interest.

Struggling French Ligue 1 side Marseille may have succeeded in convincing out-of-favour Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi to shun big-money move to the Chinese Super League to help revive the club.

Former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who bought Marseille in October, had promised to invest heavily in the January transfer window to help manager Rudi Garcia build a team that could be European champions.

Les Phoceens were ready to rescue Mikel from his Chelsea nightmare in the summer but the player’s reported £3.4m-a-year salary reportedly aborted the move.

With McCourt ready to spend in January – and Mikel yet to play a single game for Chelsea since the beginning of the season – reports in France on Sunday claimed Marseille were ready to sign the 29-year-old.

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr also confirmed Mikel, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season, was in talks with Marseille.

“I saw him in London. He is in advanced discussions with OM. Marseille is a serious option for him,” the German told Europe 1.

Chinese moneybags Shanghai SIPG reportedly offered Mikel £170,000 per week to move to Asia but Europe 1 believes the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner will move to Stade Velodrome next month as he will be a key player at the project at Marseille.

Garcia has said he will only sign top players in January and believes Mikel will bring a wealth of experience playing at the top level to help the side.

Former Swansea forward Bafetimbi Gomis is currently Les Phoceens’ highest-paid player at €420,000 per month, according to L’Equipe.

But reports say Marseille are ready to significantly improve on Mikel’s reported €350,000-a-month salary at Chelsea to lure him to France.

Chelsea’s Italian manager Antonio Conte has stuck with the team who chalked up their 11th match winning streak in the Premier League following their 1-0 defeat of Crystal Palace Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Mikel, who represented Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Europa League since he joined Chelsea from Norwegian club Lyn Oslo in 2006.

We put our school fees, project money in MMM, varsity students lament

The amount I invested in the MMM scheme was N100,000. I was expecting my 30 per cent profit when I got the news that our accounts have been suspended. It was a bitter news. Being a student, the fund was raised to pay my school fees and to meet other basic needs. It is a great risk but many students enrolled in the scheme to make profit and to live a better life. If MMM crashes, I would accept it as my fate. I will have to look for other ways to source my school fees. There is nothing I can do. I will only learn from it and not engage in such a scheme again.

— Ozadhe Russell, Civil Engineering department, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso

A friend introduced me to participate in the MMM scheme. Being a lucrative one, I decided to benefit too, having heard of the success stories. I invested N40, 000 in the scheme. The money is for my final year project and my feeding allowance. It will be very painful if MMM crashes. Considering my investment, it will be a big loss for me. My plan was to use the profits from the scheme to finance my final year project and to meet other needs. I am seriously praying that the suspension should be lifted so I can reclaim my funds.

Wenger believes the nature of the reaction could be season-defining: “We had the big setback at the start of the season. We dealt with it and have to deal again with the disappointment on Tuesday night and bounce back straight away. That will decide our season.”There was genuine surprise in Martin Tyler’s voice when he commentated on the moment that cemented Arsenal’s most recent signature win away from home in the Premier League. When Olivier Giroud glanced in Santi Cazorla’s arcing free-kick to confirm a 2-0 lead at the Etihad, Tyler captured the sentiment that millions of TV viewers were sharing. “Well, well, well!” he intoned. This was not the Arsenal everybody was used to watching implode when confronted by big away challenges, the Arsenal that had been walloped on their travels to elite opponents during the previous year. Suddenly, they seemed to have found the method and mettle to rise to the grandstand occasion.

All this happened in January 2015. Arsène Wenger remembers the impact it had on his team’s sense of themselves and their capabilities. “It was big for the confidence of the team because we were struggling a bit away from home in big games,” he says. “To win this game was very important for the belief of the players.”

Zahra’s wedding, President Buhari At 74

Nigerians on Friday congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 74th birthday on Saturday (today) and his daughter’s wedding, but they also lamented the hard times, hunger and suffering in the land.

Zahra, the President’s daughter, got married to Ahmed Indimi, the son of a multi-billionaire oil tycoon, Mohammed Indimi, on Friday.

Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has said that Juan Cuadrado’s transfer to Juventus last summer, helped Victor Moses establish himself in the Chelsea first team.

Moses has become an automatic pick for new manager, Antonio Conte this season, after spending the last three years on loan.

Cuadrado returned to Chelsea in the summer after a season long loan at Juventus and was expected to feature under Conte, but he chose to return to the Serie A champions on a three-year loan deal.

“It was a key moment when (Juan) Cuadrado went back to Juventus. Victor knows that as well,” Mikel Obi told The Standard.‎

No ‘royal wedding’ for Zahra – Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Federal Government is not spending any money on the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Zahra, slated for Friday in Abuja.

The president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, stated this in his Facebook page on Thursday.

Shehu maintained that all the wedding expenses including the printing and distribution of invitation cards, souvenirs, lunch event for the men and dinner for the women as well as other miscellaneous expenses would be financed by the family and personal aides.

New UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday announced Nigeria’s Environment Minister, Amina Mohammed, as his Deputy Secretary-General.

Guterres made the announcement through the spokesman of the Secretary-General, Mr. Stephane Dujarric.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Guterres also announced the duo of Ms. Maria Viotti of Brazil and Ms. Kyung-Wha Kang of the Republic of Korea into high-profile positions at the UN.

“I am pleased to announce that I will be appointing Ms. Amina J. Mohammed of Nigeria as my Deputy Secretary-General, and Ms. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil as my Chef De Cabinet.

Real Madrid beat Club América to reach Club World Cup final

Real Madrid booked their place in the Club World Cup final by beating Club América 2-0 on Thursday, although Fifa’s new video technology was again the talking point after confusion reigned following Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury-time goal.

Real will play the Japanese champions Kashima Antlers in Sunday’s final in Yokohama, looking to become world champions for the second time in three years and earn a record 21st international title.

Karim Benzema’s classy one-touch finish put Real ahead in first-half injury time, easing their nerves after they had struggled to find their rhythm in the opening 45 minutes against the Mexican side.

LAGOS— DESPITE being left heartbroken by the one month freezing of accounts of participants of Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox, MMM, most investors in the money-doubling scheme are hopeful of getting their trapped funds when the scheme eventually resumes.

Vanguard observed that the optimistic disposition of affected participants was only informed by the reasons adduced for the development by the management of MMM.

VLADIMIR Putin has beaten President-elect billionaire Donald Trump to be crowned the World’s Most Powerful Man by Forbes Business Magazine. The incoming Republican President scored second place in the list, which identifies 74 people - one for every 100 million people on the planet - whose actions have had the most impact on the world.

Mr Trump jumped from 72nd in last year’s list - the biggest leap in the list’s history. Forbes said of Trump that he “has a seeming immunity to scandal, both houses of Congress on his side, and a personal net worth in the billions”.

Barack Obama plunged in the magazine’s accolades, dropping 46 places, from second place last year to position 48 in this year's ranking. Putin, who leads the world’s largest nation and exerts a global influence, has clung to first place in the list for the past four years, ever since he scored the top ranking from Chinese politician Xi Jinping.

Iheanacho battles Iwobi, Etebo for Glo CAF Awards

Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala was listed alongside South African Janine Van Wyk, Ghanaian Elizabeth Addo and Cameroonians Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Raissa Feudjio Tchuanyo for the Women’s Player of the Year.

Oshoala won the award in 2014, alongside being named Youth Player of the Year. Cameroonian Gaelle Deborah Enganamouit was named Women’s Player of the Year 2015.

Dettol pastor told congregants to drink the antiseptic because ‘it’s anointed‘

JOHANNESBURG – Prophet Rufus Phala of AK Spiritual Christian Church in Moletji, outside Polokwane, says he has told the congregation to drink Dettol detergent because it was anointed.

The Limpopo pastor who told congregants to drink the anti-septic liquid claims it heals sickness.

He says although consuming the substance is dangerous it would not kill people, he's doing it through the power of God.

Governor escapes as over 50 die in Uyo church building collapse

Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Saturday escaped unhurt as the Reigners Bible Church International building in Uyo collapsed during a worship session.

The governor was the special guest of honour at the consecration service of the Founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks, as a bishop.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Reigners Bible Church International building, situated on Uyo Village Road, was still under construction when it collapsed.

Its iron rafters caved in as the service was ongoing.

A witness told NAN that the building collapsed 30 minutes after the governor arrived.

Channels Television and the Broadcasting Board of Governors of the United States of America, BBOG Global, have put pen to paper to concretize the professional media relationship already existing between the two organisations.

At the MoU signing at the headquarters of Channels Television in Lagos, the Chairman/CEO of Channels Media Group, Mr John Momoh said that the MoU was to launch Channels Television’s northern service.

The Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi on Friday ordered foodstuffs sellers in Akure and its environs in Ondo State to immediately cut down the high cost of foodstuffs or risk their shops being shut down.

This follows recent markets’ survey of some foodstuffs like rice, palm oil, groundnut oil, garri among others across major communities like Osogbo, Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Ile-Ife, Ilesha, Ado-Ekiti, and Lagos in the south west.

The monarch said he found out that the prices obtained in the aforementioned are at variance with what is sold in Akure.

Chelsea welcome back Ashley Cole and Joe Cole with Andrea Pirlo also present at Blues training

The former Chelsea stars are on holiday as the season winds down in the US, as is Pirlo, who paid a visit to his former Juventus and Italy boss. While the former West Ham and Liverpool playmaker is playing for NASL side Tampa Bay Rowdies, who finished 10th in the Fall season.

Andrea Pirlo was also present at Cobham to catch up with former boss Antonio Conte after New York City's play-off dreams were dashed in the Eastern Conference semi-finals against Toronto. Ashley Cole and Joe Cole returned to Chelsea training today in a bid to keep fit as the United States football season winds down.

Apple Music attracts 20 million subscribers

Apple’s streaming service says it has reached 20 million subscribers, showing quick growth as the tech titan tries to close in on sector leader Spotify.

Apple Music launched in June 2015 as Apple, which rrevolutionised digital music with iTunes 15 years ago, saw the future in streaming — a service that allows online listeners to play unlimited music on demand.

Senior Apple official Eddy Cue, revealing the figures in an interview with Billboard published late Tuesday, predicted further rapid gains entering 2017.

Stop making expensive demands from me, Buhari tells Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday asked Nigerian elite to stop making what he called expensive demands from his administration because things would no longer be done in the old way.

He warned them to stop insisting that things should be done the old way which impoverished the nation.

The President spoke during a meeting he had with a group of Nigerians in the Diaspora, on the margins of the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa in Dakar, Senegal.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said his administration was on the right track to improve the image of the country by entrenching accountability and probity in governance.

Ghana Shut Down a Bogus U.S. Embassy

was housed in a two-story pink building with an American flag flying outside. For about a decade, mobsters operated a sham U.S. embassy in Ghana‘s capital of Accra, one that featured an American flag and a portrait of President Obama, according to the State Department.

That ended this summer in a raid of the pink two-story building topped with a corrugated iron roof. The office was found to issue fraudulently obtained U.S. visas, counterfeit visas and false identification documents for fees of $6,000, the State Department said in a statement.

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