Why We Still Need International Women's Day

International Women’s Day: A glance at the last seven days of news in the UK sadly proves the case for this annual celebration, argues Radhika Sanghani

Not everyone ‘gets’ International Women’s Day (IWD). There are many people who don’t appreciate the idea of giving women a day to celebrate their achievements and shine a light on the continuing struggle for gender equality.

What’s the point of giving women an entire day as a worldwide holiday? they ask. OK, IWD kind of made sense when it began in the 1900s during the suffragettes’ fight for women’s rights, but now that women have the vote, western law treats them equally, and women aren’t expected to be stay-at-home housewives, do we really need it?

In a nutshell, yes. Yes, we do.

IWD2015 isn’t just a hashtag; it’s a reminder that women aren’t treated equally to men across the world. Women worldwide are subjected to shocking abuse from sexual violence in warzones and female genital mutilation, to forced marriage and becoming child brides.

No one can deny that these things shouldn’t happen, and that women should be afforded more rights. But what the doubters tend to say here is that this is all happening abroad; that IWD doesn’t concern us here in the UK – it’s just another ‘raising awareness’ exercise to show inequality across the world.

Except that just isn't true. Every day British women are beaten, sexually abused, and murdered. Violence against women and girls is systematic, and on top of that, all women face everyday sexism – whether it’s in the workplace or the street.

Think you’ve heard it all before? Well, here’s the proof.

The following seven incidents all appeared in the news this week, and they all took place here in the UK:

1) 16-year-old Becky Watts was murdered. The Bristol teenager went missing on February 19, and this week detectives received information her body parts had been ‘cut up’. Her stepbrother Nathan Matthews, 28, has been charged with her murder.



Becky Watts was described as 'wonderful' by her family

2) Danielle Liddle, 22, was beaten with baseball bats and slashed in the face while she was in labour. On Monday she was just about to leave for the hospital when a gang of five masked men smashed into her house and attacked her with crowbars and a knife.

She gave birth to a healthy baby boy despite her injuries but her partner says she is still too traumatised to go home and may have a fractured skull.

3) Pennie Davis, 47, was stabbed to death to stop her making a sexual assault claim, a jury heard this week. The mother and horse lover is alleged to have been murdered to stop her going to the police and saying that 22-year-old Ben Carr – her partner’s son - had indecently assaulted someone.

4) 15-year-old schoolgirl Toni Connell died after being bullied. It’s not yet clear how she died but police aren’t treating it as suspicious, and her mother Amanda Connell said this week that she believed cyber-bullying led to her daughter’s death, as well as academic pressure.

5) A female police officer was pushed onto train tracks by a drunk man in Manchester. Kevin Pythian, 32, scuffled with the 36-year-old woman, before pushing her off the train platform. The fall knocked her unconscious and left her with a gashed head, broken fingers and cuts and bruises.

6) The Home Office told a Nigerian asylum seeker that she can’t be a lesbian because she has children. Aderonke Apata, 47, could now be deported back to her home country which can punish homosexuality with up to 14 years in prison. Apata has a fiancée, Happiness Agboro, and even submitted footage of her sex life to the Government to prove her sexuality.


Aderonke Apata

7) Undercover footage of immigration removal centre Yarl’s Wood found that guards called. Telegraph

Africa's Future Billionaires Will be Farmers- Adesina

TheAfrica’s future millionaires and billionaires will make their money from agriculture as the governments marshal out plans to unlock wealth from the soil.

Adesina made his prediction on Friday in Abuja as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase 1 (ATASP-1) at the federal capital territory.

The ATASP-1 is financed by AfDB to the tune of $170 million and aims at creating additional incomes to an increased number of producers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector in Nigeria by providing about 120,000 jobs along the value chain of priority commodities. An additional 20 million tons of key commodity food crops including cassava, rice, and sorghum will be added to the domestic food supply each year.

A significant part of the project is developing outreach models with young entrepreneurs in agriculture, “IITA youth agripreneurs”. The Agripreneurs are promoting agriculture among other young people in their regions through peer education, training and demonstration of agricultural best practices, and business skills in value chain development.

Adesina underlined that “Africa’s future millionaires and billionaires will make their money from agriculture,” as the governments marshal out plans to unlock wealth from the soil. He estimated that the bulk of this new wealthy population will be made up of young people adept at creating jobs for millions in each African country and bringing business opportunities to rural communities all across the continent. He therefore urged the youth to stop seeing agriculture as a tool for development but as a business.

“Today, major local and international investors are investing in this sector. The number of seed companies alone has risen dramatically and the banks are lending to the sector more than ever before,” he said.

I Wasn't Trying To Seduce The President- Seyi Shay

Most entertainers have been having fun with President Goodluck Jonathan in recent times and earlier in the week, the President was in Lagos and hanged out with some of these celebrities.


Singer, Seyi Shay was among the entertainers and the pretty diva ‘broke’ the internet with the dress she wore to meet the president at the event.

The picture where the singer, wearing an incredibly short dress, while sitting beside the president, went viral and so many fans and foes have expressed their feelings concerning Seyi’s outfit.

Many people, including celebrities and notable figures such as comedian Wale Gates; social analyst, Omojuwa, took to their social media accounts to express their feelings over her choice of outfit.

However, when Saturday Beats contacted the singer, she explained that she had two outfits for the event and the outfit that caused the stir was what she wore to perform.

She emphasised that she is a respectable lady and was not planning to seduce the president in any way.

“I am a very respectable young lady and I was not in any way trying to seduce the President with the outfit I wore. I had two outfits for the event, one was for my performance and the other was worn after I performed. The dress I was pictured in with the President was what I wore during my performance.

“I came on stage and greeted everyone according to their culture and I did the same for Mr. President. He was impressed and he asked where and how I knew how to greet in his native dialect and I said I learnt it. That was what brought about the giggling and smiles in the picture. I’m a performer and what I do on stage doesn’t reflect my everyday life. I had two outfits on that day and it was a youth event. Who wouldn’t feel overwhelmed meeting the President? Well, I did and I felt honoured because it is not every day you get to meet the president of your country,” she said.

Seyi said her fans should expect her much anticipated album at the last quarter of the year.

“I am busy working on my album and it would be out by the last quarter of the year. I promise not to disappoint my fans. I would deliver because I love you all,” she said.

Source: Punch

Pastor Chris & Anita Reportedly Share Their Two Children

Months after the seperation of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder of Christ Embassy Church and his wife Pastor Anita, the estranged couple have reportedly shared their two children.

While Sharon, the eldest, prefers Pastor Chris, Charlene is presently with Anita.

Anita had last year April approached a London court, seeking a divorce on the grounds of adultery among several allegations.

The suit, number FDI 4001650, was filed on her behalf by Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors on April 9, 2014 at the Divorce Section A, Central Family Court, First Avenue House, High Holborn, London, United Kingdom.

Pastor Chris was served the divorce letters in his hotel room during one of his visits to the UK.

Efforts to reach the camp of Pastor Chris last night proved abortive.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, had then denied the allegations leveled against him by Anita and even threatened to sue media houses for damaging his name and Church.

Last September, a statement by his counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), described the allegation as “wicked and malicious”, and an attempt to bring Pastor Chris “to public opprobrium and ridicule.”

Pinheiro said the adultery allegation “currently circulating in the media was nothing but a complete distortion of facts in the pending proceedings in the United Kingdom”.

The lawyer warned media establishments to verify the authenticity of their stories before publication, saying his counsel would take appropriate legal actions against them to protect Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s reputation and that of the church.


Daily Post

Why We Suggested Shift In Dates Of Elections- Military

The military, yesterday, explained why it suggested that the election dates be shifted, clarifying that its advice had no political undertone.

According to the military, the reason for its suggestion for a shift was to enable it take delivery of the long awaited weapons with which to tackle terrorists in the North eastern part of the country.

“I do not want to bring politics into it, whoever wants to bring politics into what we are doing, it’s left for him. I want whoever is saying that to know that war machines are not picked up from the shelf, if it were, we would have got them,” Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh said while receiving drugs and other items worth over N70 million donated by the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN), to assist the Nigerian Armed Forces in the war against Boko Haram insurgency.

“When you make orders, it takes time to produce and it takes time also to train on them. So, we did not place the orders today, we had placed orders before now and when they started coming, we asked for more time to combat the insurgents before the elections. I can guarantee you that there is no politics in the demand for shift in date, it is just because we were receiving the equipment.”

Badeh urged Nigerians to support the military, as this would ensure victory against the sect.

“Part of the overall strategy of tackling insecurity is to build synergy with the civil populace, especially for support and vigilance in reporting the activities of suspicious elements and the movements of insurgents.

“This is borne out of our strong conviction that the war against insurgents is not a war for the armed forces alone. As I have always said, when the military is at war, it is not the military alone that is at war, rather it is the entire nation.

“Accordingly, all instrument of national power, ranging from diplomatic, informational, military to economic are employed to ensure that threats to national security are contained and defeated.”

The CDS commended APIN and other companies who earlier made similar donations to the military. He said such gesture was a clear demonstration of concern and support for the military in the ongoing war against terrorists, despite antics of some unpatriotic persons.

EPL Update: Chelsea Stay 5 Points Clear

West Ham 0-1 Chelsea

Eden Hazard headed home the match-winner on Wednesday night to keep Chelsea five points clear at the summit of the Premier League table.

A dominant first-half performance by the Blues was complimented by Eden Hazard, who headed in Ramires’ cross following a brilliant move he orchestrated. It was the Belgian’s tenth league goal of the season.

The Upton Park hosts huffed and puffed at goal in the second half but lacked clinical touches in the vital area, with Thibaut Courtois twice denying Diafra Sakho in quick succession and defender Garry Cahill blocking the Senegalese’s shot off the Chelsea goalkeeper’s rebound of Enner Valencia’s shot.

The Hammers goalkeeper Adrian pulled off a superb save with his feet off Ramires’s header from Hazard’s dinked corner.

Brazilian midfielder, Ramires, one of two changes in manager Jose Mourinho’s starting XI from the League Cup triumph at the weekend, fired a low shot against the post in the 56th minute.

Man City 2-0 Leicester

David Silva and James Milner both scored to set Premier League strugglers Leicester City apart as Manchester City returned to winning ways.

Silva rolled in from six yards after his initial effort was brilliantly blocked by Wes Morgan.

Leicester were denied a penalty when Fernando tripped Andrej Kramaric on the edge of the champions’ box.

Riyad Mahrez’s spectacular 20-yard effort came off the base of the post following a slight deflection off a defender and with Joe Hart well beaten.

There was not to be an equaliser in the end as Milner arrived on time in the Foxes box to smash home a Jesus Navas cross.

Newcastle 0-1 Man Utd

Ashley Young Scored to Help Man Utd Scrape Victory at Newcastle. Image: Getty.


Ashley Young pounced on a late error by goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal a vital victory for Manchester United at Newcastle.
It was a cruel end for Krul who had mustered some fine saves for the Magpies before conceding a horrible goal with just a minute to full-time. The Dutch goalkeeper- under pressure- played Mehdi Abeid’s backpass straight at Young, who made no mistake but scored his first goal in 400 days.

Man United defender Jonny Evans and Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse apparently spat at each other in a heated exchange during the first half.

Jonas Guitierez returned to action for the first-time in seventeen months- since he was diagnosed of cancer- and, even took the captain armband.

Angel Di Maria had another subdued performance at St. James’ Park and thus endured an inevitable “What a waste of money” taunt from the home fans while making way for substitute Adnan Januzaj in the 58th minute.

Jonas Guitierez Made an Emotional Return at St. James’ Park, Playing for the First Time in Seventeen Months. Image: Getty.

Stoke 2-0 Everton

Victor Moses scored a delightful header in the 32nd minute as Mame Biram Diouf grabbed Stoke’s second to heap more emphasis on Everton’s poor domestic form.

Moses raised high to thump his powerful header into the top corner from inside the box off Phil Bardsley’s perfect cross. The Nigeria international has now scored his fourth goal of the league season.

Diouf added salt to the Toffees’ injury late on, turning in a rebound of Marko Anautovic’s shot which came off the post.

Victor Moses Buried Home a Sumptuous Header Against Everton. Image: AFP/Getty.


Everton- though through to the round of 16 of the Uefa Europa League- are without a win in five Premier League games and have 28 points from 28 matches- six points above the relegation zone.

QPR 1-2 Arsenal
Second-half goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez helped Arsenal beat Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and maintain their push for a top-four place.

Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez Celebrates after Earning Victory for Their Side at QPR. Image: Getty.


Giroud opened the scoring, poking home while on the turf from close range after..

EPL Update: Poyet & Bruce In Tounchline Tussle

Hull 1-1 Sunderland

Dame N’Doye’s goal placed Hull City ahead but it was the moment of fracas between coaches Steve Bruce and Gustavo Poyet that emerged the talking point in a hard-fought contest at the KC Stadium.

Sunderland’s Poyet lost his cool after Jack Rodwell was booked for diving. Replay suggested referee Mike Dean was right but the Uruguayan tactician was having none of the video simulation, at whose point he was already over at Bruce’s corner to have a word.

Whatever Poyet must have said did not go down well with the English manager, who was held back from going after his counterpart on his way to the stands after being sent off.

Gustavo Poyet and Steve Bruce Indulge in Touchline Argument. Image: Getty.


But on the field of play, Senegalese forward Ndoye flicked in Tom Huddlestones low free-kick for his third goal in four matches.
Rodwell converted Patrick van Aaanholt’s cross in the 77th minute- though with the ball appearing to come off his hand- to help maintain Sunderland’s push for Premier League survival.

Ndoye missed a golden opportunity to grab the match-winning goal moments after the equaliser, with Costel Panitilimon denying his close-range header.

Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom

Tim Sherwood earned his first points as Aston Villa boss as Christian Benteke’s dramatic late penalty secure a first win in 12 games for the Premier League strugglers against West Brom.

Dame N’Doye Celebrates after Scoring His Third Goal in Four Matches. Image: Getty.


Gabriel Agbonlahor, moments after shooting straight at Ben Foster, ended a run of 14 Premier League matches without a goal in the 22nd minute, firing low through the West Brom goalkeeper’s legs from an angle after a Benteke flick on.
Villa skipper Fabian Delph struck the woodwork at the break but it was their Midlands neighbours who were celebrating six minutes after the hour mark, as Saido Berahino’s close-range header from Joleon Lescott’s headed pass restored parity.

Both sides were scuttling for a disappointing draw before West Brom goalkeeper Foster lunged at Matthew Lowton and Benteke stepped up to bury in from the spot on the nick of full-time.

It was Villa’s first win since 7 December, enough to lift them out of the relegation zone- three points clear of Queens Park Rangers (QPR) who have two games in hand.

Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace

Sadio Mane Goal Against Crystal Palace Ends Southampton’s Run of Barren Luck in Front of Home Fans. Image: Getty.


Southampton kept hopes of Uefa Champions League qualification alive as Sadio Mane ended their home goal drought with a composed 83rd-minute finish.
The Senegalese chipped over Julian Speroni after the Palace goalie failed to handle James Ward-Prowse’s shot. It was his sixth goal of the season and first Southampton goal at St. Mary’s Stadium in six hours, 27 minutes.

The defeat brought an end to Palace’s run of five away league matches without defeat since Alan Pardew took over, though the visitors put up a good fight with Wilfried Zaha’s drilled effort coming off the woodwork immediately after the restart.

70 Arrested Candidates May Miss UTME- JAMB

The Zonal Coordinator of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board in Benue State, Mr. Samuel Umoru, said on Tuesday that the Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examinations candidates, who were arrested during a protest, might not sit the forthcoming examination, unless the police release them.

Some candidates for UTME in the state  had, Monday, protested against their inability to access the JAMB website, where they would print their examination details.

No fewer than 70 of the protesters were arrested by the police.

The 2015 UTME examinations start on Monday, March 9.

However, fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi, Umoru noted that the action of the aggrieved candidates was unnecessary, noting that JAMB could not deliberately cause them untold hardship.

Umoru said the police were still investigating the matter, adding that the candidates could not be released until their interrogation was concluded.

He said the police might charge the candidates to court.

He said, “I cannot guarantee the release of the arrested candidates for now and whether they will be allowed to write the forthcoming examinations; only the police can determine that.”

According to him, the protesters destroyed part of the agency’s building, vandalised a transformer as well as some vehicles belonging to staff of the board.

See The 5 Nigerians Who Made Forbes 2015 Billionaires List

Five Nigerians who made the 29th annual guide to the globe’s richest, list are: Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Folorunsho Alakija, Femi Otedola and Abdulsamad Rabiu.



Abdulsamad Rabiu: He runs BUA Group, a conglomerate active in flour milling, pasta manufacturing, ports and terminals management and sugar refining. His position is 1741 with a net worth of $1 Billion.



Femi Otedola is the controlling shareholder of Forte Oil, with a 78% stake. The company owns gas stations and fuel storage depots and manufactures its own line of engine oils. His position is 1714 with a net worth of $1 Billion.


Folorunsho Alakija’s first company was an upscale fashion label that catered to Nigeria’s elite including the wife of the former military president, Ibrahim Babangida. Her position is 949 with a net worth of $2 Billion.



Mike Adenuga, Nigeria’s second richest man, he has investments in mobile telecom and oil production. His position is 393 with a net worth of $4.2 Billion.



Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, made his fortune is cement, sugar and flour. His position is 67 with a net worth of $14.7Billion.

Orji Uzor Kalu and Tony Elumelu who made the list last year were dropped off the list this year.

Bill Gates is once again the richest person on the planet, a title he has held for 16 of the past 21 years.

The year’s biggest loser in dollar terms is Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, whose fortune dropped to $14.7 billion from $25 billion last year, propelled downward by a weaker Nigerian currency and shrinking demand for cement, his largest asset. He still retains the title of Africa’s richest man.

1.4m Students Prepare As JAMB Announce UTME Dates

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says the 2015 Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examinations (UTME) will commence next week March 9, across the country. About 1.4 million registered candidates are expected to offer the examinations.

According to JAMB’s Public Relations Officer, Fabian Benjamin, “All the logistics for the examination have been put in place and the examination will start on March 9 across the 400 centres in the country.”

He explained to Vanguard that the examination will last for 10 days, adding that it will be rounded off on March 21.

“There are going to be breaks during the days, but the exams are going to run for 10 days,” he said.

The examinations will be computer-based as JAMB had canceled the paper-pencil test (PPT) and dual based test (DBT) that were earlier in use.

Unexpected Lessons From 'Fifty Shades Of Grey'

Cross Cuts
By A. O. SCOTT
“A man watches a movie, and the critic must acknowledge that he is that man.” So wrote Robert Warshow, almost exactly 60 years ago, setting down what would become an unofficial motto for the profession. The idea that movies and other forms of popular culture could be subjected to serious critical scrutiny was a new and controversial notion in American intellectual circles at the time, and Warshow wanted to make clear that any such criticism would have to take account of its origins in everyday experience. Wherever your thoughts and judgments might take you, you always start out as a consumer, a member of the audience, a fan.

By now, the idea that criticism starts with what Warshow called “the immediate experience” seems inarguable, at least in principle. Sometimes, though, a critic may watch a movie and wonder, “Man, what am I doing here?” The blithe sexism of Warshow’s formulation is very much to the point here. In our own era, the universalism implicit for Warshow in the words “movies” and “man” can no longer be taken for granted. The entertainment industry does business through careful demographic sorting, dividing its potential public by age, gender, region and race, and hoping to hit as many of those disparate targets as possible. At the same time, members of the public are accustomed to looking at themselves and one another through various lenses of identity, and to spotting the biases and blind spots in what they read.

So a critic may still be — speaking strictly for myself — a man watching a movie, but he doesn’t want to be that guy, the one who either sets himself above the common experience or remains clueless about the different impressions a movie can make. Let me put it another way: I’m still kind of hung up on “Fifty Shades of Grey,” a movie that stirred up all kinds of curious feelings and that continues to exercise a strange power over my innocent mind.

Sorry to get all confessional. The “Fifty Shades” phenomenon has inspired a widespread loosening of inhibitions. Long before the film opened on Feb. 13, E. L. James’s trilogy of novels about the romance between a naïve college student named Anastasia Steele and a handsome billionaire named Christian Grey was a topic of discussion in book clubs, online forums, and (a bit later) among opinion writers and literary critics. The global popularity of the books — 100 million copies is the number most frequently bandied around — has seemed to open a window into an often hidden zone of the collective psyche, adding a voyeuristic thrill to the dreary work of deadline-driven cultural analysis.


Aspiring wizards awaiting “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Zanesville, Ohio, in 2001.
SCOTT MACDONALD / ZANESVILLE TIMES RECORDER, VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS
And also providing an irresistible opportunity to moralize on the subject of women’s sexuality. There were objections to the way Christian and Anastasia’s affair seemed to blur the line between consensual B.D.S.M. and abuse, and debates about whether the popularity of the books represented an advance for feminism, the durability of traditional gender roles, the terminal decadence of Western civilization or a boon for the sex-toy industry.

The film’s release, and its domination of the Valentine’s Day box office, revived these questions and raised some new ones, including about the differences between what happens on the page and on the screen. The books go as far as Ms. James’s and her readers’ imaginations can take them, detailing the things Christian likes to do with Anastasia and Anastasia’s sometimes confused, sometimes ecstatic responses to them. (“Orgasm! Another one!”) Sam Taylor-Johnson’s film version, constrained by the decorum of the multiplex-friendly R rating, takes a softer-core, more indirect approach. And while this discrepancy is hardly surprising, it brings up an especially vexed issue in this era of promiscuous cross-franchising. How much fidelity do readers require from film. NYtimes.com

Happy New Month!

Congratulations Chelsea FC and Fans all over the world. Happy New Month!

CALL FOR ENTRIES

"Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." - prominent American industrialist, Henry Ford

No matter how glamorous the cymbals of the beginning sound they can never be compared to the sustaining tempo of the piano which keeps the orchestra in harmony. In the past few hours of intimating the social media about my intention of launching the blog: KREATIVE DIADEM, I have received messages from individuals who are interested in the initiative and I am no doubt overwhelmed by the huge support I have received from different quarters. A dream can never be a reality when we stand aloft snapping the bonds of unity. This is why I believe so much in unity and working together with men and women of like minds to achieve a goal. The goal is to celebrate and encourage beautiful writing; wonderful crafting of words.

This is a platform for poets and writers to share their short stories and poems, an opportunity to get more readers and get published. Inspirational and motivational pieces are also welcomed. The published work will be open to constructive critiques from fellow literary sages.

It is also an avenue to celebrate renowned poets and writers whose voices have resonated through history. An avenue to enjoy the stories of survival of upcoming writers and poets in a bid to learn from their struggles and triumphs. 

This is to call for entries from writers and poets. Poems, short stories and inspirational pieces are welcomed. 

Attach a bio of yourself to your entries (not more than 200 words).

For poems, attach your postscripts and a picture which perfectly describes your poem. 

Entries that are able to make the final cut will be published on the day of the official launch of the website. 

All entries should be forwarded to samosho@kreativediadem.com or kreativediadem@gmail.com on or before 10:00hrs, Sunday, March 1, 2015.

Like the page on Facebook: Search for "KREATIVE DIADEM".

Follow us on Twitter:@kreativediadem. 

Subscribe to BBM Channel: 

C00490901

Let us come together to celebrate SUCCESS... 

Enjoy the rest of your day.

The right to think,  the right to write, 

Osho Samuel Adetunji

U.S.-Bangladesh Blogger Avijit Roy Hacked To Death

Avijit Roy was a vocal opponent of religious extremism
Attackers in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka have hacked to death a US-Bangladeshi blogger whose writings on religion angered Islamist hardliners.
Avijit Roy, an atheist who advocated secularism, was attacked as he walked back from a book fair with his wife, who was also hurt in the attack.
No-one has been arrested but police say they are investigating a local Islamist group that praised the killing.
Hundreds of people gathered in Dhaka to mourn the blogger's death.
Mr Roy's family say he received threats after publishing articles promoting secular views, science and social issues on his Bengali-language blog, Mukto-mona (Free Mind).
He defended atheism in a recent Facebook post, calling it a "rational concept to oppose any unscientific and irrational belief".
His Mukto-mona website on Friday bore the message in Bengali "we are grieving but we shall overcome" against a black background.
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki described it as an assault on Bangladesh's proud tradition of free intellectual and religious speech.
'Den of militants'
A group of men ambushed the couple, who live in the US and were visiting Dhaka only to attend the book festival, as they walked toward a roadside tea stall.
At least two of the attackers hit the couple with meat cleavers in the attack on Thursday evening, police chief Sirajul Islam told AP news agency.
Dropping their weapons, the attackers ran away, disappearing into the crowds.
Police told the BBC they were investigating a local hard-line religious group that had praised the killing in an online message.
Ajay Roy, father of the dead man, urged the authorities to find the killers and "ensure exemplary punishment".
"This Bangladesh which was built by the blood-sacrifice of the martyrs has now turned into a den of militants," he said.
Students, teachers and bloggers gathered at Dhaka University on Friday to protest against the killing.

Media caption
Akbar Hossain reports from the scene of blogger Avijit Roy's murder in Dhaka

Students and social activists gathered to protest against the blogger's death

Media caption
"Why does a person get killed just for the writing in his blogs?": Locals react
'Virus' of extremism
In a forthcoming article to be published in the Free Inquiry magazine of April-May 2015, Mr Roy likens religious extremism to a "highly contagious virus".
He says he received threats from Islamist hardliners in Bangladesh last year when his book, The Virus of Faith, was released at a book fair.
"The death threats started flowing to my e-mail inbox on a regular basis," he writes.
"I suddenly found myself a target of militant Islamists and terrorists. A well-known extremist... openly issued death threats to me through his numerous Facebook entries.
"In one widely circulated status, he writes, 'Avijit Roy lives in America and so, it is not possible to kill him right now. But he will be murdered when he comes back.'"
The killing in early 2013 of another secular blogger, Ahmed Rajib Haider, which was blamed on religious hardliners, sparked protests from free-speech supporters and counter-protests from Islamists.
The police say the attack on Mr Roy was similar to the 2013 murder.

Avijit Roy
Founded Mukto-Mona ("Free Mind") blog site in 2000 to champion secular and humanist writing in Muslim-majority Bangladesh
Bangladeshi-born US citizen on visit to Bangladesh
Engineer by profession
Received recent death threats from Islamist radicals for his writings, family say
"He was a thinker, he was a man of great knowledge, he was a scientist, he was an engineer" - close friend and Dhaka University professor Anwar Hossain

Death threats against atheist writers and bloggers are nothing new in Bangladesh.
Prominent writer Taslima Nasreen had to leave Bangladesh after she received death threats from hard-line Islamists in the mid-1990s. BBC

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What A Beautiful Morning In Zoological Garden For A Little Run. Can Wait To Tell You What I'm Working on! #EarlyMorningSelfie #LionOfIbadan #StephenLadoye

LASU Refunds N209million School Fees To Students

The Lagos state government has refunded N209m to students of the Lagos state University following the reversal of school fees by Lagos State University, LASU.

At a ceremony held at the Main auditorium of the Ojo campus of the school yesterday February 26th, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga who represented Gov. Fashola, said this was the first phase in the refund exercise. He said the second phase of refund which is about N89 million will take place soon.

12 students were presented with cheques ranging from N150,000 to N200,000 while the remaining money will be paid to the accounts provided by the other students.

The management of the school and the students had witnessed many months of protest following a hike in school fees until Governor Fashola intervened in September 2014 and ordered that the school fees be reversed.

Mourinho Has Just the League Cup Final to Think About

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has just one game to worry about at the “moment;” Sunday’s League Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium.

Last weekend’s 1-all home draw with Burnley trimmed the west London club’s lead to five points above Manchester City in second place, but the reigning Premier League champions could bridge that gap further when they travel to Liverpool four hours before the Capital One Cup showdown.

“I just think about the moment. Only this game,” the Portuguese said in his press-conference on Friday. “It’s a final we have to play and a final we have to win.”

Jose MOurinho is All About One Moment that Doesn’t Necessarily Shape Chelsea’s Future. Image: Getty

It is ten years exactly since Jose Mourinho lifted his first League Cup- his first trophy as Chelsea manager. Chelsea recorded their fourth and last success in the Cup competition two years later, and then the ‘Special One’s’ initial spell ended seven months after.

The man chosen as Mourinho’s successor, Avram Grant, had a near perfect spell with the west London outfit, beginning with a League Cup defeat by Sunday’s opponents Spurs and ending with the Champions League final loss to Manchester United in Moscow. Grant’s Chelsea also finished second in the Premier League in 2008.

But Mourinho does not envisage any might-be domino effect nor see connection between winning or losing the all-Capital final and winning or losing the English championship.

“I don’t think if we win the Cup final we will win the league, or if we lose it we will lose the league,” he opined.

“It’s just a game we have to play and after that the Cup talk is over. If we go home with the Cup and the medal, perfect. But no consequences- we just carry on. There is no time to think about consequences.”

Chelsea’s hopes of completing a first English quadruple was ended by Bradford City in the fourth round of FA Cup on 24 January, but the 52-year-old says that ouster does not imply Chelsea took the FA Cup with levity.

“I respect every competition,” Mourinho said. “It would be easy to say we didn’t take FA Cup seriously because we lost against Bradford but we take every competition seriously.

“Probably lots of teams have followed us since 2005 when we took the League Cup as a real competition, as a real challenge, and we were trying to reach finals and trying to win.

“Liverpool (losing finalists in 2005) and us gave it everything in the semi-final. It is a big competition.”

Mauricio Pochettino has not issued any injury concern following Tottenham’s defeat by Fiorentina in the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday. Chelsea were last in action on Saturday, but Mourinho does not think his team will have a physical advantage over their London rivals because he expects several changes from the squad which played the extra match.

“I don’t think they will play with the team they played yesterday,” he said. “They will play with a couple of those players, no more than that, so I don’t think the physical part is in question.”

Mourinho reported no fresh injury, with only John Mikel Obi and the suspended Nemanja Matic ruled out this weekend; the former through knee injury and the latter serving the first of a two-match ban.

Man United Must Win Top Four 'Rat Race,' Says Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal admits it will be a massive disappointment if Manchester United are unable to seal a top four slot and return to the Uefa Champions League next season.

United are currently placed fourth in the Premier League table, a point ahead of Southampton in fifth position, ahead of Sunderland’s visit on Saturday.

Chelsea and Manchester City have already grappled on the first two slots on offer in the English top flight, while the likes of Arsenal, Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham are in a scrap for the remainder two spots passed for Champions League football.

“It is because of the rat race between five clubs that we have to win, we have to be there,” Van Gaal told reporters in his media briefing at Carrington on Friday. “It would be a big disappointment (not to make top four), of course, a big disappointment.”

Louis van Gaal Says Manchester Must Win the Rat Race. Image: Getty.

Just four points separate Arsenal in third with 48 points and Tottenham Hotspur in seventh place with 44 points after 26 matches of the campaign. However, the 63-year-old does not appear too concerned about the situation.

He said: “When you start the season with objective of finishing in the first four of the league it is your objective and you are occupied with doing that. When I came here, that was my goal and we are still there. Therefore you have to win your matches because the other clubs are winning their matches.”

Last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Swansea was only United’s second defeat in their last 20 games in all competitions. Van Gaal has been pleased with those outcomes but not the Red Devils’ performances.

“I am pleased with the results, but not with a lot of the performances of my team,” stressed the Dutch boss. “Our process is continuing and always we are going better. In spite of the many injuries we have had in the first half of the season, we are there.

“Also in spite of the criticism of our defence, we are there, we don’t have many goals against us. So, we are not unhappy. When you see our matches we are mostly the better team, but the better team is not always winning.”

The manager also gave injury updates on midfielder Michael Carrick and young striker James Wilson. Carrick returned to training in the week after recovering from a calf strain but Sunderland has come too early for him. Wilson, who suffered a dead leg in an Under-21 game on Monday, is good for the weekend.

United’s leading scorer, Robin van Persie, who left the Liberty Stadium pitch on crutches on Saturday, will miss the game against the ‘Black Cats.’

Van Gaal added: “He (Van Persie) is injured. The only injured player that I have. So, we change Carrick for Van Persie. Robin has an ankle problem so I don’t think it is heavy, but an ankle problem takes a long time. It’s not one or two weeks, but we will have to wait and see.

“Michael is very experienced and he can play in a very important position. But he also needs match rhythm. He trained only one time with us, with the group, so he needs to also play in the second team.”

Van Gaal also expressed delights about key developments during the week, with young defender Tyler Blacket and Reece James both agreeing to long-term contracts.

“When I came here there they told me that they wanted to have more youth academy players in the first-team,” he explained.

“I am happy that we can sign players from our youth academy and our players are very popular as we also have a lot of youngsters out on loan. I believe in players that you have educated in your own youth academy.”

Mavin Record Duo Bags New Endorsement Deal With Konga

The money just keeps coming in for the Mavin superstars.

From one mouth watering deal to another.

Now, Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy have penned down their signatures as the brand ambassadors for online shopping mall, Konga.

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ISIS fanatics kidnap 90 people from Christian villages in Syria

According to a breaking news report this morning, ISIS militants have kidnapped about 90 people from Christian villages in Syria after they seized two Assyrian villages from Kurdish forces in the northeast province of Hassakeh.

The militants reportedly attacked the Christian villages near the town of Tel Hmar in the early hours of yesterday. This is coming about two weeks after Egyptian Coptic Christians were kidnapped and beheaded in Libya.

No Ban On Recruitment By Ministries, MDAs- Head Of Service

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Danladi Kifasis says the Federal Government has not placed any ban on recruitment by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as widely reported in the media. However, FG has sanctioned stringent guidelines on new intakes into the civil service.

Kifasi made this known in a statement signed by the Assistant Director (Media Relations), Mohammed Manga on Monday.

According to him, all MDAs were only directed to adhere strictly to due process as is stipulated in Part iv Section 8 of the Public Service Guidelines for Appointments, Promotions and Discipline when conducting any recruitment or promotion exercises into the Federal Public Service. He explained that the process provides that all MDAs should forward their declarations to the Establishment and Management office (now Organizational Design and Development Department) in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The office is responsible for Manpower Planning and Manpower Budgeting and will pass the declarations to the Federal Civil Service Commission.

Kifasi noted that the FG gave the directive due to the need for MDAs to be checked in the way they recruit without recourse to available resources in the budget. This, he said, has caused serious shortfalls in annual budget provisions for personnel cost.

One of the MDAs currently running a recruitment exercise is the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), an agency whose 2014 recruitment exercise led to the death of 18 applicants who died in a stampede at different examination centres.

“Nigerian graduates interested in the NIS job should take advantage of the new recruitment exercise because the NIS would ensure that the new recruitment is fair and credible,” NIS Comptroller-General, David Paradang said recently, when the Africa Youth Patriotic and Development Mission visited him.

8 Christian Tips For Dealing With Difficult People

As  Christians we should try to get along with the people around us. That does not mean we have to always agree with them, but we also should not intentionally look for opportunities to anger and upset people. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This verse does not say it will always be possible, but we should try.

Here are 8 tips for dealing with difficult people for Christians.

Speak With Respect

Disagreements and misunderstandings will happen in life, but this is not an excuse to disrespect others. The Bible tells us that we should speak to others with love, even if we have to deal strongly with them. Love and respect should be our guide. Our speech should be kind but firm when necessary.

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Colossians 4:6 “ Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Christian Ways To Deal With Difficult People
Maybe the best way to sum this all up is to deal with people in love. Love the unsaved in such a way that they will want to know more about your God.
Follow The Pattern in Matthew 18

There is a distinct pattern given in Matthew 18 for dealing with a problem. I believe this is primarily talking about dealing with problems among believers, but it can be applied in many situations. First you go privately to the one with whom the problem is. Secondly, you take a couple of people with you so that you can establish the facts and that it is no longer a “he said, she said” argument. Finally, if you cannot resolve the issue then bring it to the attention of the authorities. Again, these verses are talking about the authority of the church, but it could also be applied to your office situation.

Matthew 18:15-17 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Along the lines of this, remember that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. Find people to talk with about the problem. These should be trusted people and not the church gossip. When talking to others about the problem, they may point out to you your own faults in the conflict. Check out Proverbs 11:14; 24:6.

Sometimes You Need To Walk Away

Sometimes it is better to walk away from an argument than to continue to dwell on it. This is not liberty to walk away from everything. There are things worth fighting for. But then there are things that just aren’t worth your time and allowing them to spoil your own relationship with the Lord.

You have to allow the Lord to give you direction on how to deal with different problems. After David was anointed king, but before he took the throne, he had to deal with Saul. God had already rejected Saul from being king over Israel. David realized that was a fight between Saul and God.

David allowed God to fight on his behalf. This is the same man who years before stood up for God and fought on behalf of God when facing Goliath. David had wisdom on knowing when it was time to fight and when it was time to walk away and allow God to handle the problem.

1 Samuel 24:10 “Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.”

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Barcelona 0-1 Malaga: Catalans Beaten at Home

Barcelona’s 11-game winning run was snapped by a resilient Malaga, who claimed their first win at the Camp Nou since 1999.

Juanmi pounced on an early Dani Alves error to score the match-winner and deny the home team a chance to go top of the La Liga for the first time in over three months, as leaders Real Madrid now have a chance to surge clear at the top against Elche on Sunday.

Barca huffed and puffed at goal with Rafinha and the returning Andres Iniesta failing to account for their first-half chances.

Lionel Messi Could Not Rescue Point for Barcelona in a 1-0 Home Defeat By Malaga.


Malaga’s grid-locked defence held firm in the second half despite a late Barca surge, holding on to a surprise win in Andalucía much to the delight of both Madrid clubs.
The match heralded ten crunch days for Luiz Enrique’s men, who next face a Champions League last-16 first leg tie at Manchester City before the semi-final of the Copa del Rey.

The Asturian boss tweaked his squad ahead of a busy scheduled but could not help as his side conceded after just seven minutes.

Alves’ poor back pass to second-choice Claudio Bravo was intercepted by Juanmi, who rounded the goalkeeper before prodding home.

Barca almost drew level two minutes later, but Wellington blocked Rafinha’s goal-bound effort.

The hosts continued to hold on to the ball, but the visitors never bought into their trick and, even threatened to double their lead on two quick occasions just after the half-hour mark.

Iniesta, fresh from recovering from flu, sent his tame header straight at Carlos Kameni five minutes before the break.

Barca continued to dominate play well into the second half but searched in vain for a breakthrough, with the impressive Wellington and Roberto Rosales proving a fortress in Malaga’s defence.

Neymar and Messi tried rescuing the home team by forcing coach Jarvi Garcia’s side into their own half, but decisions in the final-third fell short of accuracy.

Substitute Pedro sent Barca’s best chance into the side netting, as coach Enrique’s side were left ruing wasted opportunities ahead of their crucial trip to the Etihad Stadium.

For Malaga, who claimed a 0-0 draw at the La Rosaleda in the reverse fixture in September, it was a dream win- especially without their suspended Spanish midfielder Ignacio Camacho- enough to keep them in touching distance of Europe qualification.

Gunmen storm INEC office

Unknown gunmen have reportedly broken into the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Delta state.



The gunmen carted away 6,000 permanent voters cards (PVCs) and registers from the office located at Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state, Vanguard reports.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Delta Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu said the stolen PVCs had been recovered.

She said: “The stolen PVCs have been recovered and a total of seven thousand three hundred and sixty five (7,365) were seen.”

According to her, three of the security guards, Aherebe Godday, Omajemite Justice and Oyubu Ejiro were arrested for interrogation.

“Similarly, detectives in a follow-up investigation arrested one Lucky Aputu ’m’, aged 46yrs of Oji Aputu compound, Onyobulu inland market Road, Oghara and recovered one of the stolen INEC registers from him,” she added.

Celestina stated that the police had begun investigation into the matter and efforts are on to ensure that all those involved in the crime are brought to justice.

The PVCs have since been handed over to INEC.

Just recently, a chieftain of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) was allegedly found with 500 permanent voter cards (PVCs) at his residence in Benin, Edo state.

About three weeks ago, no fewer than 3,366 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) were snatched by suspected hoodlums in Izzi and Ikwo local government areas of Ebonyi State.

Source: Naij

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When they invented @Photoshop 25 years ago, did they expect the madness that would follow?

David Luiz Eyes Chelsea Downfall in Paris

David Luiz hopes to finish on the winning side again when Paris St-Germain host Chelsea in a Champions League round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday night.

The Brazilian moved to the French capital in the summer in a £50m switch after helping Chelsea to a Champions League quarter-final victory over PSG.

“I want to qualify, like I qualified last year, but I want to qualify for PSG,” Luiz said on the eve of the blockbuster clash with his old club.

David Luiz Was Askekd to Describe Chelsea Boss Mourinho and PSG Coach Blanc and He replied: “Both are Ugly.” Image: AFP/Getty.


The central defender, 27, is capable of dictating play with his different range of passing and could strike from a long distance. He scored an own goal last term when Chelsea lost in Paris.
“I’d be happy to score, because I don’t have many opportunities to do so,” Luiz said. “Last year, I scored my first goal for PSG! But of course I want to do my best for the team.

“If I score, I won’t celebrate, out of respect for my former team-mates, but I’ll be very happy.”

The hefty transfer fee involved in his transfer from London to Paris does not bother the former Benfica defender, who won the Champions League in 2012, and Europa League the following year while at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s normal,” he quipped. “In every passing year a player becomes more valuable. The market grows, not just in football, but with everything in life. Everything becomes more expensive. The pressure will always be there. When you reach a certain level in football you need to know how to handle the pressure and how to turn it into something good for you.”

Chelsea invested the fee in the acquisition of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis, a trio that have contributed immensely to Jose Mourinho’s formidable side this season.

“They had three players join the club with amazing quality, like Fabregas and Diego Costa. For me they are stronger than last year,” he said.

“Chelsea are a big club, [with] many great players – it’s not just about Eden Hazard… Diego Costa and Fàbregas are very good players too.”

Blanc wants a clean slate

Coach Laurent Blanc has issued out a rallying cry to his defenders ahead of Chelsea.

The Ligue 1 champions have been edged out on away goals in the past two campaigns- against Barcelona at this stage in 2013 and Chelsea in the quarter-finals last season.

Eden Hazard goal in a 3-1 first-leg reverse at the Parc des Princes accosted Blanc’s side, as Chelsea advanced from the second round with a 2-0 victory in the Stamford Bridge return leg.

And having watched his side throw away a two-goal half-time lead to draw with Caen at the weekend, Morinho has highlighted the need for resolute defending in tomorrow’s crucial encounter.

“I think defence is not only the key to tomorrow’s match, but for all big matches. Last season, Chelsea managed to score an away goal, when we couldn’t: that’s how they won,” the French boss said in his pre-match press conference in the bowels of the Parc des Princes.

“Both teams will have a lot of very talented creative players, but the paradox is that it’s the team who performs the best defensively which will have the best chance to win and to qualify.”

6 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With Depression

Depression is a serious disease that affects over 120 million people worldwide. You may notice your spouse or child has a decreased mood and diminished energy. Relatives or friends may experience bouts of depression after losing loved ones or employment, going through health crisis or going through divorce.

Long-term clinical depression, or Major Depressive Disorder, is a persistent depressive state rooted in many factors — including chemical imbalances in the brain — that lasts at least two weeks. It can have an immense negative impact on a loved one’s work, family life, sleep, eating habits and physical health. So, when you come across a friend, relative or coworker with depression, make sure you don’t make these six common but insensitive statements:

1. “Get over it”

Depression is a serious matter that is not always easily dealt with. Getting professional treatment in a number of modalities, including prescription medication, therapy and even alternative treatments can help, but saying this won’t make anything better.

2. “It’s not that bad”

You don’t know how bad it is to them. The event that triggered the depression may not seem significant on the surface, but depression could be doing major damage on the inside once it has taken root. Try not to undermine or minimize how someone feels if you can’t understand what she’s going through.

3. “You’re weak”

Illness is not weakness. And projecting an ableist attitude onto someone who is suffering shows a lack of compassion and understanding that only makes you appear weak in character. Although a person may feel weak due to his ailment, calling him so will not give him strength.

4. “Stop whining”

Shaming a person with a psychological disorder is cruel and can cause further damage. Yes, constantly reinforcing the feelings he wants to rid himself of seems illogical and can be irritating, but it comes from a feeling of helplessness. As humans, we tend to express what we feel the most. If he were happy, he would be expressing that instead.

5. “I got over it”

What works for you will not work for everyone. Another’s experience with depression or its inciting events may be quite different from yours. Everyone has his own predispositions, chemical makeup and personal history, making for a unique treatment and healing plan. Plus, getting over something doesn’t mean you got through it. You may have put something behind you, but if it’s not entirely resolved, it could resurface and rear its ugly head again.

6. “You’ll be fine”

Be careful using these words. It can appear dismissive, uncaring or cold if said in the wrong way. Keep eye contact, smile kindly, and if you are close enough with the person, reach out and give him a warm hug and firm pat on the shoulder or back when saying this. If you believe he will get through this, let him know you mean it.

Remember to keep your feelings about life and all of its ups and downs in perspective when addressing someone with depression. Even if you see a simple solution, a depressed person may see hopelessness and nothing in her future. Keep communication open and the bonds strong in your spiritual and biological family. This is the time your loved one needs you the most.

source: familyshare.com

Prove Your Allegations Us, INEC Dares PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has refuted allegations made against it by Nigeria’s ruling party, PDP, and asked the party to prove them.
The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, PDPPCO, had alleged that the commission was deliberately preventing valid voters in certain sections of the country from getting their Permanent Voter Cards.
The campaign organisation’s spokesperson, Femi Fani-Kayode, said at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday that the PVCS were yet to be imported to Nigeria, and were still in China where they were produced.
Mr. Fani-Kayode added that INEC was deliberately distributing the PVCs in such manner as to disenfranchise many voters from North Central, South-East, South-South and South-West geo-political zones. He claimed those voters were supporters of the PDP candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan.
In his reaction, Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega, told PREMIUM TIMES that the onus was on PDP campaign to validate its claims.
“It is they that should produce proof that we have not produced the cards, because INEC has produced those cards and put them in the public domain. Anybody who says it is not like that should produce proof,” Mr. Idowu said.
While speaking on the millions of registered voters who were yet to collect their PVCs, Mr. Idowu said, “We have extended the collection deadline and people need to make use of that opportunity to come out.”
“INEC cannot drag people out of their houses to collect their PVCs. It is for INEC and the media to continue to sound it in the ears of people that they need to make judicious use of this time; otherwise, anyone who does not collect his card will disenfranchise himself,” he added.
The electoral commission had said on Friday that over 70 per cent of the voters’ cards had been distributed.
The distribution of the cards was a reason the PDP and some parties and groups called for the postponement of the elections, initially scheduled for February 14 and 28.
Although the elections were eventually postponed to March 28 and April 11, that was mainly due to the statement by security agencies that they needed six weeks to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency before the elections are held.



Source: Premium Times

Omokri Threatens To Sue Saharareporters Over 'Malicious Story'

The Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri, has threatened to sue Saharareporters to court if it fails to publish an apology within three business days over what he termed a malicious story it published.

A letter by Omokri’s lawyer, Iyoke Michael stated that the story titled, “Jonathan’s Aide, Omokri Burglarizes House in Delta, Carts Away N25, Million Meant For Buying Votes” is completely false and a damage to the reputation of his client.

“Be it known to you that Mr. Omokri did not lead armed men to a residence in Warri or any other place. The last time my client visited Warri was in December of 2012.

“My client has been in Abuja for the past one week. On Tuesday the 10th of February 2015 when you falsely alleged that my client led armed men to burglarize a property in Warri, my client was at his office in Asokoro in the company of witnesses and received visitors, he also performed pastoral duties to members of the congregation of a local church over which he is a pastor,” the letter reads.

“In the weeks before then my clients had either been in Abuja or out of the country ministering and attending to his family. At no time in the last two years has my client travelled to Warri, a fact which is provable.”

Omokri’s lawyer therefore said he was surprised to see the story and wondered how Saharareporters came about it.

“Please be advised that we demand that you publish an apology within 3 Business Days or my client will institute libel proceedings against you in New York State from where you operate to clear his name of the false allegations you made against him on your site,” the letter adds.

It will be recalled that Saharareporters, Tuesday, alleged that Omokri led armed men to a residence in Warri to cart away N25 million.

Stephen Ladoye is 23 Today!!!

Help change the world. And my new collection 'For You' Philippians 4:13. Dear LADOYE, Happy Birthday from all of us at Diamond Bank. We wish you many more happy and fruitful years.

Stephen Ladoye is 23 Today!!!

 

Hurray Stephen Ladoye is 23 years old. Happy birthday and many more years time to come. Aseri samodu...Birthday party comes up at the Staff Club, University of Ibadan by 5pm today. 

Al Jazeera Trial: Egypt Court Frees Journalists on Bail

 Egyptian court has ordered the release on bail of two Al Jazeera journalists, at the beginning of their retrial on the charge of spreading false news so as to help a terrorist group. BBC was there:

Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were imprisoned in June along with their Australian colleague, Peter Greste. Egypt’s top appeals court overturned their convictions last month. Mr Greste was freed last week under a law allowing the deportation of foreign nationals to their home countries.

Mr Fahmy has given up his Egyptian citizenship to qualify for deportation to Canada, but Mr Mohamed has no foreign passport. The journalists strenuously deny collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. They say they were jailed simply for reporting the news.

The first trial of the journalists was widely condemned internationally, and the Court of Cassation ruled on 1 January the the Cairo Criminal Court had been “hasty in pronouncing its verdict”. On Monday, the deputy head of the Court of Cassation, Judge Anwar Gabry, said prosecutors had failed to present conclusive evidence that the defendants helped the Brotherhood or promoted the group.

Read What Obanikoro Did To The People That Published Ekiti Leaked Tape

Few days ago, a scandalous audio about last year’s alleged election rigging in Ekiti State came out. However, former Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro has taken a step further on the matter!

The scandalous audio which related how elections were allegedly rigged in favour of Governor Ayo Fayose who eventually won the election, with the help of major big wigs of the Peoples Democratic Party which includes President Jonathan, Senator Iyiola Omisore; a man identified as Honorable Abdulkareem; the Minister for Police Affairs Caleb Olubolade; and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro who was at the time the Minister of State for Defence.

The audio which went viral and rocked (probably still rocking) various online news platforms was first published by some online media namely: Sahara Reporters, Premium Times and Punch Newspaper Limited before other news platform followed suit. However, Breaking Times, has made it known that the former Minister of State for Defense, Musiliu Obanikoro has sued the three online news platforms, their owners – Sahara Reporters, Premium Times, Punch Newspapers, Omoyele Sowore, owner of Sahara Reporters and Festus Owete to the tune of for N1billion for the story on the Ekiti election fraud.

Breaking Times reports that the former minister has gone to court to seek a redress over a case he tagged defamation of character by the three news media outfits. In the suit filed at the Lagos State High Court Ikeja yesterday, Tuesday, 10th February 2015, Senator Obanikoro is suing the defendants for damages to the tune of N1 billion.

According to the suit filed on his behalf by Dr. Yemi Oke of MJS Partners, Senator Obanikoro is seeking:

“1.) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing or causing to be published either directly or indirectly, defamatory, damaging, offensive or degrading statements, articles and/or materials against the claimant,

2.) An order directing the defendant to jointly or severally pay to the claimant the sum of N1 billion being damages for harm caused to his political, professional, business, social and institutional reputation as a result of the defamation by willful and scandalous publication of false statements by the defendants,

3.) An order directing the defendants to retract the false and damaging publication by a letter of apology directed to claimant and published on the same media through which the defamatory publication was circulated and 4.) An order of court for the cost of this suit against the defendants.”

The defendants are said to have 42 days to prepare their defense and make an appearance in court to defend themselves in the Lagos suit. It was also made known that Senator Obanikoro has hired Tacopina & Seigel,  one of New York’s top law firms to handle Senator Obanikoro’s case against Sahara Reporters in New York, United States of America.Recall that just some days ago, the captain who leaked the audio spoke up again, talking about really led to the released audio.

Source: Naij

Polls Shift; Canada Urges Security Agencies To Be Neutral

Canada has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to guarantee credible elections, even as it expressed concern over the postponement of the general elections.

INEC had on Saturday shifted the general elections from Feb. 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11 citing security advice by Nigeria’s military chiefs.

In a statement issued on Monday by Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and for International Human Rights he said “Canada is concerned that Nigeria’s general elections have been postponed”.

“The people of Nigeria must be allowed to exercise their democratic right to choose their representatives through free, fair, peaceful and credible elections”, the statement said. “All institutions of state as well as political parties and candidates, must uphold democratic values”.

The statement urged Nigeria’s security agencies to be impartial in providing security during and after elections.

It also advised INEC and security operatives to provide journalists unrestrained access to reports during the election process.

“It is particularly important that security agencies provide security for elections in an impartial manner.

“It is also important that journalists are allowed unfettered access in reporting on the election process”, the statement added.

(NAN)

Nigerian Troop Successfully Repel Boko Haram Attack On Damboa Kill Scores

The Nigerian Army on Sunday dealt a heavy blow on Boko Haram as scores of the insurgents were reportedly killed in an attempt to attack Damboa town, the headquarters of Damaboa Local Government of Borno State, local residents and a member of the Civilian JTF have said.

Damboa is 87km south of Maiduguri, the state capital, one of the exit point out of the state capital that was once seized by the insurgents.

A resident of the area, Aisami Bukar who escaped to Maiduguri, the Borno capital, disclosed that the insurgents, who came in large numbers at about 12:00 noon, were sighted by troops of 195 battalion of the Nigerian army, who repelled their advancement.

He said that the terrorists were attempting to attack Damboa from Kalla village just two kilometers from Damboa town when the military lunched artillery guns and killed scores of them.

“Scores of the Boko Haram insurgents who attempted to attack Damboa at about 12:00pm had a bad outing as the troops of the Nigerian Army intercepted them at Kalla village at the outskirt of Damboa.

“Insurgents were intercepted by the soldiers, who swiftly reacted by shooting artillery missiles and burnt them; they crushed all of them, as scores of them were killed in the process”, Bukar said.

A member of the civilian JTF, Haruna Isa, corroborated the story, saying that “the army did a good job in Damboa. It would have been a different story today. But we thank Allah that the boys did not have luck this time”.

He pointed out that corpses of the insurgents and their vehicles were burnt and littered all over in the bush.

Programmer & IT Executive at REQIT

Job description

As a programmer you will be responsible for developing cloud based database applications using various languages including HTML & CSS, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, Python and more. You will work with the consulting team advice on database deployment for report automation and analytics projects. You will need to have knowledge of Microsoft based database and technologies including SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Visual Basic for Applications and cloud based solutions.

You will lead the maintenance and updating of our website and web based applications. You will be required to manage the firms cloud based (Software as a Service) packages including Salesforce.com, office timesheets, drop box and more.

You will be required to implement IT hardware and software policies for the firm. Manage and maintain all Laptops, printers, internet accessibility, conferencing equipment and more.

You will act as the producer in our online training packages, using Webex and Adobe Connect. You must be a quick starter willing to learn and able to multitask and priorities. You will also be expected to work with our external Application developers to speed up the development of bespoke web based applications for clients.

Desired Skills and Experience

o have working knowledge of the major languages: HTML & CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, PHP, Python & Ruby

o Have detailed knowledge of PHP

o Have working knowledge of Microsoft Technologies especially SQL Server, SSAS Tabular, DAX Language, Visual Basic for Applications and more

o have experience managing, updating and maintaining business equipment including Laptops, Printers, Network hardware etc

o Come up with innovative ideas and solutions to improve productivity and efficiency of work teams in the firm

o attend meetings with the consulting and training team and make knowledgeable contributions on IT related matters

o have detailed knowledge of web based training packages especially Webex & Adobe Connect

o Manage, Implement and monitor the firms IT use policies.

o Keep abreast of latest technologies and present recommendations to management.

There Are New Developments To Be Addressed Before The Elections- Jega

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said that there were ‘new developments’ that the commission needs to address before the conduct of the 2015 general elections.

He said this, Saturday, in Abuja when he and other officials of the commission met with representatives of the registered political parties at the INEC headquarters.

“The main purpose of this meeting is to update you on the commission’s preparation for the 2015 elections, draw your attention to some new developments and get your inputs as to how the commission should address them,” he said.

“This meeting will raise the new developments and get your inputs as to how the commission should address the challenges.”

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said the council had been advocating that it should be considered whenever the commission was taking any decision.

“The council has right from onset been making tremendous contributions to our democracy.

“But unfortunately, the issues that all of us have been raising long before now have never been considered or put into perspective,” Tanko said.

He urged the leaders of the political parties who attended the meeting to put Nigeria first in their responses to the new developments mentioned by Jega.

2015 Elections

Congratulations Nigerians, we won the battle against ELECTION POSTPONEMENT...God bless our nation...

Why I will not encourage anyone to vote for Jonathan- Prof. Soyinka

by Kolapo Olapoju

   

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, has said he will not encourage anyone to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan, as he does not deserve a second term.

The world-renowned playwright made the comment while speaking at the 2015 edition of a youth programme titled ‘Vision of the Child’ in Lagos on Thursday, February 5.
Soyinka told his audience that he had 60 reasons why Jonathan should not be re-elected.
He castigated President Jonathan’s failure to rescue the over 200 Chibok girls, who were kidnapped from their school in Chibok, in April 2014.

Soyinka said: “I will not vote and I will not encourage ‎anyone to vote for the continuation of this government, simply because your colleagues numbering over two hundred were kidnapped.”
“There has been a failure of leadership. Our children whom you represent today have been betrayed.”

“After that dereliction of duty, after that failure of leadership, after that betrayal for our future, for anyone to think or to put words in my mouth suggesting that I will vote or encourage anyone to vote for this regime is a travesty of intelligence.”

Don’t laugh: Justin Bieber fan falls off her mom’s car while chasing him (See Photo)

While taking a drive around Los Angeles on Friday morning, Justin Bieber pulled over briefly for a chat with talk show host Larry King — only in LA, I mean really. This gave a Bieber fangirl, who’d been tailing the singer with her mom, the chance to approach her teen idol and ask to smell his newly blonde hair or whatever it is that fangirls do when they get the chance to be all up-close and personal IRL.

Unfortunately, Bieber’s chat with King didn’t last long enough for the fangirl to make her move. In all seriousness, what could they possibly have had to talk with each other?! And so the chase was back on.

Unfortunately, the girl’s overeager mom was too quick to hit the gas pedal and stay on the car’s scent, and her daughter, only half in the vehicle err… fell out!

Paparazzi also following Bieber caught the incident on film — again, only in LA. Captioned, “we hope she’s okay,” JustJared has the photo-set in its entirety, and it is textbook tween schadenfreude.

In other crazed fangirl news, two 12-year-old fans snuck onto Bieber’s futuristic estate last weekend, apparently to celebrate one of their birthdays?! Cake normally suffices, but there you go. 

They interrupted a pool party, TMZ reports, and in a brilliant stroke of parental punishment, Bieber “berated them for trespassing” and confiscated one of the cell phones. Clearly his newly turned leaf is a sincere one.

FG To Construct Rail Lines From Lokoja To Abuja- Sambo

Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Tuesday said the Federal Government had approved the design of a rail line project from Abuja to Lokoja in furtherance of its commitment to transforming the transport sector.

Sambo said this at the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential rally in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, where he also disclosed that the Warri-Ajaokuta rail line had been completed and would soon be inaugurated.

“I want to also give the good news that the Warri-Ajaokuta rail line has been 100 percent completed and very soon Mr President will commission that project.

“Also another good news is that the Kaduna-Abuja rail line has been completed It will also be commissioned anytime now.

“But, the most important one is that Mr. President has approved the design of the rail lines from Abuja to Lokoja to Ajaokuta so that we have a fast train line. Thank you very much Mr. President for that and very soon Mr. President will commission that project.

“Furthermore, Mr President has created the enabling environment for the private sector participation in the development of our state.

“One very important information I will give you is that the issue of the development and exploration of oil and gas has reached an advanced stage and there are serious positive prospect in some of the Local Government (Areas) in Kogi with oil and gas.”

Sambo said the laying of rail lines for the Abuja-Kaduna fast-train project had been completed and ready for inauguration. He further disclosed that the two seaport projects being executed by the Federal Government had reached advanced stages, with the private-sector-driven 1,000 megawatts Coal Power Plant Project to also be completed soon. A private-sector-driven Steel Company would also be built in Kogi State to boost the nation’s automobile sector, according to Sambo.

He expressed hope that the projects, when completed, would provide job opportunities to unemployed people of Kogi and other Nigerians.

Sambo therefore called on the people of Kogi State to continue to support and sustain their loyalty to the PDP by voting for President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP candidates in Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 general elections.

Immigration Deports 433 Immigrants- Official

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, on Monday said it deported 433 irregular immigrants between January and December, 2014.

The command’s spokesperson, lman Yusuf, said 50 Nigerians were also deported from other countries during the period.

He added that 144,288 people arrived the country through the Seme border during the period, with valid passports and complete documents.

“From January to December 2014, 144,288 people arrived through the border, with their valid passports, 95,389 of them were males, while 48,899 were females”.

He, however, said that 117,321 people, including 81,304 males and 36,017 females, left Nigeria through the Seme border, within the period

Mr. Yusuf explained that 244 foreigners were refused entry through the border during the period.

“The foreigners that were refused entry were mainly from Mali, Benin Republic, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.

“Some 51 Nigerians were refused departure from Nigeria to other West African countries, during the period, due to irregularities in their travelling documents”.

He said the command also received 25 rescued victims of human trafficking from outside the country, which it handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP.

“Some 41 stowaways were arrested and were immediately repatriated”, he added.

(NAN)

Saheed Balogun And Ex-wife Reunite On Set After Nine Years

Nollywood actor Saheed Balogun and ex-wife Fathia Balogun have re-united after nine years.
When the duo were still married they featured together in countless number of Yoruba Movies as well as playing the role of Husband and Wife together in Nollywood films.
Saheed and Fathia Balogun are currently working together on a Movie titled ‘Life after Marriage’ also known as Leyin Igbeyawo.
The Movie which is produced by Mercy Aigbe is reported to be worth N8million.
The two talented Movie Practitioners are appearing in a Movie together for the first time since their divorce in 2006.