Yes, You Can! Chidera Ota Shares Insight on How to Get into Medical School at Cambridge

   It is no mean feat to get into medical school, and even more impressive is getting to study medicine at the University of Cambridge.

Chidera Ota is in her 5th year studying to be a doctor at the University of Cambridge. The daughter of a doctor and a nurse, medicine might actually be in her blood. Asides all of that, we wanted to find out what it all means to go to a school of such high prestige. Chidera is also a blogger, and when she is not studying, she shares tips for aspiring medical students.

So if you are thinking of studying medicine… read on!

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How would you describe yourself academically?
At GCSE, I achieved 15 A*’s, and 1 A, reported as the best GCSEs results in the UK (by the Daily Mail) and was honored at the Nigerian High Commission. After achieving 2A*s and 2As at A level, I was admitted to the University of Cambridge.

When did you first decide to study medicine?
I had been considering medicine for most of my childhood. I have always idolized my father, so following him to become a doctor, was something I thought of often. As I got older, I found that the subjects I found most interesting were sciences, but knew I didn’t have the right personality for research, because I wanted to work with people, and be very hands-on. Eventually it became clear that medicine was he perfect fit!

Here’s Your First Look at the New Nokia 3310 Relaunching Later this Year

  It only costs $52 to go back in time with Nokia‘s relaunched 3310 mobile phone. The phone was originaly launched 17 years ago in 2000 and sold over 120 millions units worldwide, making it one of the world’s best-selling mobile phones according to Mirror. It’s features like long battery life, durability, and the addictive game Snake – made it a favourite in it’s time of reign.

The revamped Nokia 3310 was unveiled during HMD‘s press conference at Mobile World Congress 2017 (MWC) in Barcelona this week 2017 on Sunday, February 26th. HMD is the Finnish company with exclusive rights to market the Nokia brand.



It’s not yet known exactly when HMD plans to starts selling the device, but it said that it will be available in the second quarter of 2017.

Source: Mirror, Daily Mail

Kelvin Bob-Manual: Finishing Schools…Finishing School

  As I sat in front of my prospective employer, my mind wandered. I took a long walk back in time, way back to the gruesome 400L course; Extentialism. Dr. Folorunsho shouted on how the course would benefit us on our jobs when we eventually graduated. In that cramped cell of a classroom, we wrote  everything he said like our lives depended on it. Our lives did depend on it back then.

My potential employer cleared his throat and transported me back to earth. I stared at him while he in turn stared at my CV. My CV had all these glorious experiences and recommendations which I didn’t reflect. He asked me simple questions any graduate should be able to answer and I was lost…as lost as I was in existentialism class. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job.

This happened some five years ago, way back when I was still young and naïve, when I thought my certificate could suffice for experience and would fetch me gold. My story took a turn for the better when I swapped finishing school for finishing schools.

#BBNaija: Fake housemates evicted

  Only the two fake housemates, Jon and Ese got ejected from the Big Brother Nigeria House on Sunday, in a night of drama and intrigues. They only spent two weeks and they have been sent packing.

Bisola and Bally also got bounced out of the house, temporarily  for good though, as they are being sent to ‘paradise’, ‘a place where everyone will admire to stay’.

The developments were not only the highlights of Sunday’s show. All the housemates, Efe, Uriel, TBoss, Kemen, Marvis, Debie-Rise, Bassey and ThinTallTony,  save the paradise bound Bisola and Bally,  are up for Week 6 eviction next  Sunday.

This followed an intriguing game introduced by Biggie to replace the Live nomination. All the housemates were asked to pick an envelope. But all the eight picked “Red Envelopes’, which signified  nomination for eviction.

However, one of the housemates may still be saved from being ejected from the house, following the public voting. That is if he or she wins the Head of House Challenge, which will replace the Nomination Show.

The survival of the other seven lies with the voting public.

Manchester United 3-2 Southampton: EFL Cup final – as it happened

Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided the attacking threat which proved wrong those who felt his days as a big-game player were over. Lovely goal from a free-kick to open the scoring and a great header to clinch the trophy

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late winner secured the EFL Cup and gave Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho his first success since his summer appointment, as brave Southampton were beaten at Wembley.

Southampton were the better side for most of this final but were left heartbroken by a controversial offside decision - and the inspiration provided by the 35-year-old Swede as he took his tally to 26 goals this season.

Saints' striker Manolo Gabbiadiani saw a goal contentiously ruled out before United took an undeserved two-goal lead through Ibrahimovic's superb 19th minute free-kick and Jesse Lingard's measured finish seven minutes before the interval.

Southampton, as their performance merited, were on terms with two predatory strikes from Gabbiadini either side of half-time.

#UTME2017: Why Candidates can no Longer Apply to 2 Public Universities – JAMB

 In a series of Tweets on Friday, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) released some guidelines for the 2017 registration of the Unified tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Candidates can make their 1st choice Institution to be any of NCE, Degree, IEI or ND

The 4th choice option can only be IEI (Innovation Enterprise Institutes); i.e. candidate can only select an IEI as their 4th choice

If candidates select a public University as their degree awarding choice, they are allowed to select a private University as another choice.

Ranieri says goodbye to Leicester stars, fans

   Claudio Ranieri visited Leicester City’s training ground on Saturday to say farewell to his former players and staff after his shock sacking.

Ranieri had visited the club’s Belvoir Drive headquarters to clean out his office on Friday following his dismissal 24 hours earlier.

But the 65-year-old Italian was unable to say goodbye to the players who helped him become a Leicester legend during last season’s incredible Premier League title-winning campaign because they were on a day off.

So he returned on Saturday to have a last meeting with the group following the decision to sack him, which was made by the club’s Thai owners after Leicester slumped into the relegation dogfight with five successive league defeats.

“I just say thank you to the fans. They are fantastic. Thank you,” Ranieri said when questioned by Sky Sports News as he drove away.

Nigerian students give South African companies 48 hours ultimatum to leave Nigeria over Xenophobic attacks

  The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, have given all South African countries operating in Nigeria a 24 hours ultimatum to leave the country. This is in reaction to the xenophobic attacks meted out on Nigerians in South Africa.

NANS staged a peaceful protest on Thursday at some South African companies located in Abuja where they made their displeasure known and revealed that they will no longer be silent while Nigerians are attacked in South Africa whereas South African companies like MTN, DSTV and Shoprite are allowed to operate freely in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the president of NANS, Kadiri Aruna, said South African companies in Nigeria had only 48 hours to leave Nigerian soil, else Nigerian students will retaliate by pulling down all MTN masts in the country in the country. DSTV and Shoprite were also not left out in the threats.

Aruna said:
“I don’t want to say we will be barbaric but we will not be lawful in our actions, we will do it and face the consequences, enough of this rubbish.’’
Aruna went further to reminisce on how Nigeria was instrumental in freeing South Africans from apartheid and Nigeria contributed 80 per cent of the freedom the South Africans are enjoying today because we saved them from the jaws of apartheid and have over the years supported South Africa financially. He said it was time to take action and called on the Federal Government to step up and work towards evacuating Nigerians in South Africa. He also suggestion cutting diplomatic ties with the South Africans due to the silence of their government in the face of the attacks.
"The government of South Africa is criminally quiet and they say silence is consent, and their police are folding their hands while they are killing Nigerians, this is conspiracy, enough is enough,’’ he said.

Ellen DeGeneres Gives Her Biggest Gift Ever to an Entire High School Class

  The students at Brooklyn’s Summit Academy Charter School are overcoming obstacles of all kinds to meet their inspiring goals. Ellen helped make their dreams come true by doing something she’s never done before!

“Would you pay N10,000 for tickets if Chris Rock comes to Lagos?” – Basketmouth hints at bringing the top Comedian to Nigeria

   Foremost Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha also known as Basketmouth has dropped a hint for his fans on bringing top American comedian, Chris Rock to perform in Lagos in June this year. He posted a photo of Chris captioning it thus:

“If Chris Rock was coming to Lagos in June 2017… would you pay N10,000 for a regular ticket?”

This has led fans to speculate if he indeed has plans of bringing the world renowned comedian to perform in Lagos.

Basketmouth’s Lord of The Ribs US tour with Bovi is slated for July 2017 but he might be having plans for a pre-show in Lagos. So, will you pay N10,000 if Chris Rock comes to Lagos?

Leicester City sacks Coach Claudio Ranieri 9 months after winning Premier League Title

   Reigning English Premier League Champions, Leicester City FC have released an official statement confirming the sack of it’s first team coach, Claudio Ranieri.

Ranieri was appointed as Leicester coach in July 2015 and went on to lead the Foxes to unarguably their greatest achievement in their entire 133-year history last season as he led his team to the English Premier League crown beating the usual bigwigs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City & Arsenal to the title. Nevertheless, results have been hard to come by on the domestic scene this season and the Board felt a change of leadership was necessary to engineer a reversal of fortunes this season.

Beyoncé & Drake Win International Solo Artist at the 2017 BRIT Awards | See the Complete List of Winners

                             
 The  2017 Brit Awards took place at The O2 Arena in London, England on February 22nd, 2017.

Little Mix and Rihanna took the lead alongside Skepta for the most nominations this year with three each, while Drake and the late David Bowie followed closely behind with two nominations each.

There were some really big winners throughout the night including Beyoncé and Drake, who both won in their respective International Artist category.


See the complete list of winners below

Ag. President Osinbajo withholds Assent to 4 Bills

  The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has withheld assent to four Bills including the National Lottery Amendment Bill 2016.

Osinbajo conveyed his position in a letter to the Senate, read on the floor Wednesday by President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.

According to the Acting President, he declined to sign the Lottery Bill because of the existence of a pending legal challenge to the competence of the National Assembly to legislate on the subject matter.

The letter read:

Pursuant to section 58(4) of the constitution, I hereby convey to the senate my decision to withhold assent to the National Lottery Amendment Bill 2016 recently passed by the National Assembly.

The rationale for withholding assent to the Bill is the existence of a pending legal challenge to the competence of the National Assembly to legislate on the subject matter.

Wayne Rooney ready to quit Man U for China & become highest earning player in the world wiith £1m p/wk salary

 Manchester United and England football team captain, who recently became Manchester United's all time leading goalscorer, is now set to quit Man U and move to China in a £52m move that'll make him the highest earning football player on earth with a whooping salary of £1million per week.

Jose Mourinho, Man U's manager, has left the striker out of the starting line up in a lot of matches the last couple of months, and admitted in a new interview that his captain could leave the club before the Chinese league transfer window closes next week Tuesday as Rooney ponders a £1m per week salary offer.
Asked if Rooney will still be at Man U at the end of next week Mourinho said:
“You have to ask him. I cannot guarantee that I’m here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season? What I can guarantee is that if one day Wayne leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club. I would never push a legend of this club to another destiny.

FG to Telecom Firms: Get Listed on Nigerian Stock Exchange or be Penalised

   On Monday, the Federal Government through the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, urged all telecommunication companies operating in the country to list their shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) or face regulatory penalties for their compliance failures.

He said the directive has become compelling so that Nigerians across the different strata can also be part of the success stories of the telecoms revolution by owning a part of the companies.

The minister spoke at the MTN and Lumos partnership for generation of solar energy for Nigerians on Monday night in Abuja. He identified the lack of electricity supply as the greatest challenge to doing business and governance in the country.

Shittu said:

I appeal to telecoms companies that before government wields the big stick, they must get their companies listed on the NSE so that Nigerians can also be part of the ownership of these companies.

UEFA Champions League results

   UEFA Champions League last 16, first leg results on Tuesday:

At Leverkusen, Germany

Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 2 (Bellarabi 48, Savic 68-og) Atletico Madrid (ESP) 4 (Saul Niguez 47, Griezmann 25, Gameiro 59-pen, Torres 86)

At Manchester, England

Manchester City (ENG) 5 (Sterling 26, Aguero 58, 71, Stones 77, Sane 82) Monaco (FRA) 3 (Falcao 32, 61, Mbappe 40)

Playing Wednesday (1945 GMT)

“I was misunderstood” – Former #BBNaija Housemate Gifty clears up the air about her Banky W & Falz Statements

 Former #BBNaija housemate Gifty is back in the real world after she was evicted on Sunday.

The rising actress has immediately used her social media page to clear up the air about some statements she made while in the Big Brother House, particularly her statements claiming not to know music artists Banky W and Falz.

She posted on Instagram a few hours ago:

Good evening everyone…first of all i was misunderstood when I said I don’t know Banky, actually what I meant was, “I’ve never met him in person”..Banky is an amazing singer no doubt. And right now i want to use this platform to apologize for all the wrong words I said about him. It’s just a game,we say/do things for specific reasons + i was emotional unstable cos i was up for possible eviction. So to all banky fans and everyone plz forgive me, Banky I love ur music and you are a talented cute guy! #blessed

And concerning FALZ,i know the song called “soft work” but believe me i had no idea it was FALZ that sang it and also i haven’t met him before..that was why i had to ask “who is he”..#humblefalz

Nine things to do in your 20s to become millionaire by 30

  “In a free-market economy, anyone can make as much money as they want,” emphasizes self-made millionaire Steve Siebold, who has also studied over 1,200 of the world’s wealthiest people.

And it’s never too early to start. To help you reach the seven-figure mark by 30, we rounded up nine pieces of advice from people who became millionaires at a young age, as well as those who have studied hundreds of self-made millionaires.
We can’t guarantee millionaire status, but doing these things won’t hurt your odds.

1. Focus on earning
“In today’s economic environment you cannot save your way to millionaire status,” writes Grant Cardone, who went from broke and in debt at 21 to self-made millionaire by 30. “The first step is to focus on increasing your income in increments and repeating that.
“My income was $3,000 a month and nine years later it was $20,000 a month. Start following the money, and it will force you to control revenue and see opportunities.”
Earning more money is often easier said than done, but most people have options. Read about 50 ways to bring in additional income, some high-paying jobs you can do on the side, how you can earn passive income, and the first step to take before starting any business, from an entrepreneur who earns up to $170,000 a month.

“We are and forever will be a family” – Angelina Jolie opens up on her split from Brad Pitt

  Angelina Jolie is opening up for the first time about filing for divorce from Brad Pitt.

While promoting her new film First They Killed My Father in Cambodia, the 41-year-old actress and filmmaker got candid about the “difficult time” she and her family has been going through.

Angelina said in an interview with BBC World News via People, “I don’t want to say very much about that, except to say it was a very difficult time. We are a family and we will always be a family, and we will get through this time and hopefully be a stronger family for it.”

She went on to talk about how she and Brad are focusing on staying as much of a family as possible.

“Many, many people find themselves in this situation,” Angelina said. “My whole, my family…we’ve all being through a difficult time. My focus is my children, our children…and my focus is finding this way through. We are and forever will be a family. I am coping with finding a way through to make sure that this somehow makes us stronger and closer.”

Angelina filed for divorce from Brad back in September 2016 after being together for over 12 years.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Kevin Winter

Mourinho faces Chelsea return in FA Cup

   Jose Mourinho will have to get past former club Chelsea if FA Cup holders Manchester United are to keep their hopes of retaining the trophy alive following the quarter-final draw on Sunday.

Giant-killers Lincoln — the first non-league side into the last-eight in over a century after beating Premier League side Burnley on Saturday — could have a lucrative trip to Arsenal should the Gunners beat another non-league side Sutton on Monday.

Arsenal’s fellow north London side Tottenham will host another giantkiller in Millwall, who ousted ailing champions Leicester from the competition on Saturday despite being down to 10 men.

The other quarter-final pitches struggling Premier League outfit Middlesbrough at home to the winner of the replay between Championship high-fliers Huddersfield and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

‘Boro manager Aitor Karanka crossed swords with Guardiola when the former was Real Madrid assistant manager and the latter in charge of Barcelona.

Draw for FA Cup quarter-finals made on Sunday:

Chelsea v Manchester United

Middlesbrough v Huddersfield/Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur v Millwall

Sutton United/Arsenal v Lincoln

Ties to be played March 10-13

This photo explains why guys should join the 'Beard Gang'

Just check out the glow on the presenter's face. Lol

Don’t convert stadium to market, FA begs Borno govt

  The Borno Football Association on Sunday appealed to the State Government to rescind its decision to convert the abandoned multipurpose stadium project along Kano road in Maiduguri to a market.

The Acting Commissioner of Environment, Malam Kakashehu Lawan, had recently announced the immediate conversion of the stadium to a market.

Lawan had said that the market would cater for roadside traders dislodged by the government from major roads in the state capital.

But in an interview in Maiduguri, Secretary to the Borno FA, Malam Babagoni Grema, said the action would be counterproductive.

“We were actually surprised by the government’s decision because we believe it will be counterproductive and a great setback for sports development in the state.

A Celebration of the Nigerian Gele by JTO Fashion

 In this post today, Temi Otedola of JTO Fashion is sharing her creative collaboration with photographer, Bernard Okulaja and makeup artist of Makeup by Oma. Temi said;

The gele, the traditional head wrap worn by women in Nigerian culture. I have always had a slightly nostalgic moment when I wear a gele, and instantly flashback to old photos of my grandmother and mother wearing beautifully constructed head wraps.

For all the non-Nigerian readers, gele’s are usually worn to special occasions such as – weddings, anniversaries and formal events, however some truly fabulous women rock them even day to day. Most commonly used is the “Aso oke”, which is originally a ceremonial woven fabric made out of cotton or silk.

As a proud Nigerian and someone who loves to celebrate and embrace my beautiful culture, I was excited to explore the different ways the gele could be moulded to different moods using varying colours and patterns.”

Xenophobia: Nigerian-Owned Businesses & Buildings Attacked and Looted in South Africa

   The Nigerian Community in South Africa have confirmed attacks and looting of Nigerian-owned businesses in Pretoria West on Saturday.

Ikechukwu Anyene, President, Nigeria Union in South Africa, told NAN on telephone from Pretoria, that the attacks began at 4AM.

He said that the union had reported the incident to the Nigeria mission and South African police.

“As we speak, five buildings with Nigerian businesses, including a church have been looted and burned by South Africans. One of the buildings is a mechanic garage with 28 cars under repairs, with other vital documents, were burned during the attack. Also, the pastor of the church was wounded and is in the hospital receiving treatment,” he said.

NYSC member Nancy Genesis has been Commended for Helping a fellow corp member in his Final Moments

  After the annual orientation camp in Abia state, Mr. Joseph an ailing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member was redeployed back to Bauchi state to be closer to home and enable him to get proper medical and family attention.

Mrs. Nancy Genesis, a very courageous fellow corp member single handled took it upon herself to travel with and care for him while he journeyed back home to his family in Bauchi state. Unfortunately, he died in Jos while still in transit.

This single act of service made a senior pastor with ECWA Good News Church Bauchi; Rev. Dauda Galadima recommend her for a post-NYSC award. He praised her selfless efforts and commended her for exhibiting the true essence of what the NYSC vision is all about.

Rev. Galadima who stated this at the burial service of the late Joseph appealed to the management of the NYSC to give her an award at the end of her Service Year for the help she granted late Joseph in his final moments.

#BreakFree Flashmob Surprises Shoppers at Ikeja City Mall

   It was such a spectacle at the Ikeja City Mall on Friday, when dozens of young people orchestrated a flash mob with a ‘BreakFree’ message, urging shoppers to break free from situations that limit them from actualizing their full potential.

The campaigners who wore shirts with the inscription: #BreakFree, held many people spellbound as shoppers stood to watch in amazement. There was dancing, singing, and some comic display while the spectators, who were thoroughly entertained, took photographs and recorded video clips with their mobile devices.

It remains unknown what the #BreakFree campaign is all about, many who witnessed the show said they believed it must be associated with something revolutionary, which they look forward to.

“This is very inspirational. They are motivating us to break free from things that hold us bound. So it’s a good message. I just don’t know who is behind this and what they want to achieve but they have entertained us and challenged us to break free. I’m going to sit down and think deeply to identify the things I need to break free from in order to live a life fulfilling life,” Deborah Adetutu, who came to shop at the mall, said.

Court orders Diezani Alison-Madueke to permanently forfeit N34bn to FG

   A Federal High Court Lagos on Thursday ordered the final forfeiture of the sum of N34 billion ($153 million) linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

Justice Muslim Hassan issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the forfeiture of the money as proceeds of crime.

Justice Hassan had on January 6 issued an interim order of forfeiture of the sum of N34 billion to the Federal Government following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking a similar relief.

The EFCC had initiated an ex-parte application, seeking an interim order for the temporary forfeiture of the sum to FG which it claimed was linked to the ex-Minister.

Also joined in the suit was Dauda Lawal as respondent.

The court had also issued 14 days to any interested party to appear and prove the legitimacy of the money failing which the money would be permanently forfeited to the government.

At the last sitting of the court on January 24, Rotimi Oyedepo and Charles Adeogun, Counsel representing the EFCC and the respondent (Lawal) respectively, had argued their originating processes before the court.

Oyedepo urged the court to make the interim order absolute and ordered a final forfeiture of the sum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Bayern Munich 5 Arsenal 1: Humiliation for Arsene Wenger as second-half meltdown leaves him needing a miracle

   It was the 10-minute meltdown in Munich. It sounds like a bad movie and we have certainly seen this film before. Arsenal were beaten – humiliated – by Bayern Munich in the first leg of this last-16 Champions League tie and it was the familiar script of the damage being done in the first game. It is all set for restoring a little pride but, of course, ­going out in the second leg. Again.

Where does this leave Arsène Wenger? Not in a good place. This was another terrible European night, a dark, dark night, for the ­under-fire Arsenal manager in his funereal black suit and he needs to take responsibility for this pathetic capitulation.

Sadly, he appeared a broken man as he spoke about the “nightmare” after his team lost their “organisation” and looked “mentally jaded”. His press conference lasted just under three minutes and was limited to three questions. If only his team had shut up shop after three goals.

Instead they lacked direction, fight and leadership. When Laurent Koscielny went off injured in the second half, before the collapse, the armband passed to Kieran Gibbs, who no one would regard as captaincy material. When the fifth goal went in, Alexis Sánchez, who at least fought throughout, sunk to his haunches in disgust, while the stadium announcer was laughing as he read out the score. Laughing.

Luis Enrique: Barcelona's 4-0 loss at PSG my fault

  Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique insisted he should bear full responsibility for the stunning 4-0 Champions League thrashing at Paris Saint-Germain.

Shocking Barcelona & Luis Enrique on the brink of disaster

Unai Emery's side pinned Barcelona into their own half with relentless pressure from kick-off in the last-16 tie and they did not look back from Angel Di Maria opening the scoring with an 18th-minute free-kick.

Julian Draxler made it two before the interval and, after Di Maria capped a masterful showing with a sumptuous second, PSG's top scorer Edinson Cavani completed the rout.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets told reporters afterwards that his team-mates had been found wanting tactically and, speaking at a post-match news conference, Luis Enrique did not disagree.

It’s Valentine’s Day!

  Yes, it’s February 14, a day officially designated as the Valentine’s Day.

Val’s Day renowned for being the most romantic day of the year, prompting many people to use it as an opportunity to show affection for our loved ones.

Why February 14?

Valentine’s Day is an old tradition thought to have originated from a Roman festival known as Lupercalia, according to history.com.

It was held on February 15 as a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.

During the celebrations, boys would draw names of girls from a box and the pair would be partners during the festival. These matches often led to marriage.

The festival survived the initial rise of Christianity but was outlawed at the end of the Fifth century when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St Valentine’s Day.

The Canterbury Tales writer, Geoffrey Chaucer, in a poem refers to February 14 as the day of birds coming together to find a mate.

“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day

“Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate,” Chaucer wrote and maybe invented Valentine’s Day as we now know it.

The St Valentine that inspired the holiday may have been more than one man, though. The saint officially recognised by the Roman Catholic Church was a real person who died around AD 270.

An account from 1400s describes Valentine as a priest who was beheaded by Emperor Claudius II for helping Christian couples wed.

The emperor had banned marriage as he thought single men made better soldiers. Valentine felt this was unfair, so he celebrated marriages in secret. When the emperor found out, he was thrown in jail and sentenced to death.

He may also have been Bishop of Terni, also martyred by Claudius II on the outskirts of Rome.

There are similarities between the priest’s and bishop’s stories, which leads people to believe they are the same man.

There’s so much confusion around St Valentine that the Church stopped veneration of him in 1969, though he is still listed as an official saint.

“Valentinus” is from the Latin word for worthy, strong or powerful, and was a popular name between the second and eighth centuries AD, meaning there are several martyrs with the same name.

There are actually a dozen Valentines listed and there’s even a Pope Valentine. The actual day we celebrate is known as St Valentine of Rome to set him apart.

Sources: history.com, mirror, The Canterbury Tales

“Our Focus is letting people know that waste is a resource” – Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola speaks with Mr. FAB on Under 40 CEOs

   Bata Media Limited tells yet another story that is bound to speak to young, aspiring business leaders. This episode features Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, the CEO of WeCyclers.

Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola is a Nigerian CEO of a recycling company, WeCyclers in Lagos. She was educated at the Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in Boston and came to notice due to her novel approach to recycling of waste material with the use of tricycles and text messaging.

Man City striker Gabriel Jesus finally explains his goal celebration that got the internet talking

  Last Weekend, new Man City striker Gabriel Jesus scored
against Swansea city, in that match alone he scored two goals,
but after scoring, he celebrated his goal by pretending to be
making a phone call. His goal celebration got soccer lovers on
the internet talking, with many wondering why he engaged in
such a celebration.
A lot of twitter users created vines, imitating Jesus' celebration
and also created fake quotes explaining the celebration, with
one Twitter User saying:
'My celebration was a message to my ex girlfriend who
didn’t answer my calls at Palmerias, but messaged me
when I moved to City.'
Surprisingly Gabriel Jesus has taken to his Instagram account to
explain his celebration, saying it was a message for his mum.
He captioned his celebration photo; “Hello Mom, I love you.”

Crippled man who was assaulted by soldiers pictured with Army Commanders at a press conference in Onitsha

The physically challenged man, Chijioke Raphael Uraku, who was brutalized by soldiers a few days ago was present at the press conference held at 302 Artillery Regiment/14 Field Engineer Regiment in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Also present is the new 302 Commander, Col. Idongesit Uko Akpan and the Deputy Director Public Relations (82 DIV) Col. Sagi Musa. Mr. Uraku, from Ebonyi State wore military camouflage to the press conference.

We were given N200 each to detonate Explosives – Teenage Suicide Bomber

   An 18-year-old Boko Haram suicide bomber, Amina, who was one of two girls intercepted by men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday in Maiduguri, said she was given N200 for the mission.

She told the NAN in Maiduguri that she was abducted two years ago by the sect members in Madagali, Adamawa, and taken to Sambisa forest.

“They gave us N200 each which they said we should use to buy food for ourselves. It took us three days to come to Maiduguri on a motorcycle. We were directed by the sect members to detonate our explosives any where we saw any form of gathering.

They said if we press the button, the bomb would explode and we will automatically go to heaven. I was scared, so, I told them that I could not detonate any explosive. So, they said if Zainab detonated her own, it would serve the purpose.

The nine signs that show your relationship could be headed for the rocks

   Relationships never crumble in a day, it's a slow fade process and the signs are always clear to the discerning. Often times we choose to ignore the warning lights and clutch at straws in the hope of salvaging what we once had. Psychologist and behavioral expert Honey Langcaster James shares her advice on how to identify if you’re involved in an unhealthy relationship dynamic.

1. Your partner treats you much better in public.
Behind closed doors your partner is either rude, grumpy, always busy, emotionally unavailable or even overtly critical and hostile towards you, yet in front of others or outside the home they treat you much better.
This suggests that their image matters more to them than you do, and they know their behavior towards you is wrong. They're treating you with disrespect when they think they can get away with it.

2. You are preoccupied by thoughts of whether your partner loves you and whether you can trust them
Whilst some people are naturally a little more insecure than others, if you find yourself preoccupied and concerned about your relationship and whether your partner cares for you enough it suggests you are not getting enough emotional nourishment from your partner to help you feel safe and secure.

With or without you, we will march - Nigerians react as 2face cancels February 6 protest

   Just 24hours before the much anticipated peaceful protest led by 2face Idibia and scheduled to hold on Monday February 6, the singer announced it's cancellation and Nigerians are not happy. 2face shared a video on social media explaining that the protest had been cancelled due to security reasons, but plenty Nigerians weren't happy about it. 

As Chelsea get stronger under Conte, Arsenal malaise continues with Wenger

  The problem with sequels is that they usually run out of steam by the time you reach the third or fourth instalment. At Arsenal, they are into double figures and the story never changes, especially when they come up against Chelsea.

The Gunners' 3-0 September's victory over Antonio Conte's team not only now seems a distant memory, but it also looks increasingly like an aberration. Arsenal rarely come out on top against Chelsea and, after being outplayed and outmuscled in a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, normal service has been resumed.

This was Chelsea's eighth home league win against their London rivals in the past 11 games, with the visitors having won just two of those fixtures. And it is a damning indictment of Wenger's philosophy that Chelsea are pretty much everything that the Frenchman does not want his team to be.

Conte's side is powerful, imposing and, when necessary, direct. Chelsea are also showing themselves to be winners. By contrast, though that is something Wenger desperately wants his team to be, it is impossible to envisage Arsenal's current crop as anything but nearly men as long as they are compromised by the recurring failings that their manager has been unable -- or unwilling -- to eradicate.

Moses eyes redemption in Arsenal rematch

   If, as widely expected, Chelsea go on to lift the Premier League trophy, one game in their title-winning campaign will surely be remembered as the most significant for manager Antonio Conte.

Forget the 4-0 rout of Manchester United in October when returning manager Jose Mourinho was humiliated. Or the 5-0 victory over Everton in November when everything went right and Eden Hazard briefly resembled Lionel Messi. Or even the come-from-behind win at Manchester City the following month that firmly installed the team as title favorite.

The defining 90 minutes of Chelsea’s season will likely be a loss that led to some serious soul-searching and, critically, a change in formation.

Former Chelsea FC and England Midfielder Frank Lampard takes a Bow

   Former Chelsea FC and England midfielder Frank Lampard on Thursday announced his retirement after more than two decades in football.

Lampard, 38, made his debut in 1996 at West Ham and spent most of his playing career at Chelsea, 2001-2014, finishing as their record goalscorer with 211 goals.

In his time at Stamford Bridge, Lampard won the 2012 Champions League, 2013 Europa League, three Premier Leagues and four FA Cups with the Blues. He earned 106 England caps between 1999 and 2014.

The midfielder last played at New York City in Major League Soccer where his contract expired after the 2016 season, having also featured for Manchester City in the last chapter of his career.

“After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer,” Lampard said on Facebook.

44 year old Essam El Hadary’s save sends Egypt to #AFCON2017 Final

  Egypt’s goalkeeper and captain Essam El Hadary on Wednesday emerged the shooting range hero to send the Pharaohs through to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match.

Egypt went through to the AFCON final in Gabon after beating Burkina Faso 4-3 on penalty kicks in the semi-finals.

El Hadary, who turned 44 this month, is already the oldest footballer to play at a Nations Cup and he showed he was not just there for the record.

The match itself was an epic, with neither team having tasted defeat in Gabon, and seven-time champions Egypt were yet to concede a goal.

The match in Libreville ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, with Mohamed Salah’s 66th minute opener for Egypt cancelled out by Aristide Bance seven minutes later.

“2Baba, I stand with you and Nigerians on this protest…. I will be part of it” – Gov. Ayo Fayose

   Ekiti State governor and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‘s Governors’ Forum, Ayo Fayose has declared his support for the planned February 6th protest led by superstar musician 2Baba.

Fayose made this known in a series of tweets on Tuesday night.


2Baba announced the protest last week, saying that it is aimed at demanding answers from the government over several issues, including the economic recession.

After the announcement, rumours followed that it is politically motivated. One university professor openly called the musician an illiterate.

2Baba has refused to back down and has said that the protest will take place on February 6th from the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos to the National Theatre in the Iganmu area of Lagos state.