Thursday, the 11th of June marked the beginning of the journey into the Koko Mansion for many hopeful ladies, who were convinced right from the day they purchased their entry forms from GT Bank that they had what it took to be the Ideal Kokolette. For some, that decision will prove to be a gross error in judgment, when they eventually discover that the Koko Mansion isn’t just about the pretty face and the curvaceous body. Yes, all the girls were beautiful, but beauty is peripheral when it comes to projecting the virtue of the Nigerian woman – there has to be more than beauty, isn’t it?Composure. Confidence. Eloquence. And of course: brilliance. These may be some qualities that may come to your rescue, in addition to your beauty. But without these, your beauty is like an empty bottle of champagne, still pretty but of very little value to anybody (except for the guys hoping to start a bar fight).One interesting contestant was called upon, and asked by one of the panelists to, “Tell us what you’d consider to be the rights of an African woman in the society” and she plunged into a diatribe on oppression, lies, and cheating – and the habits of men in general. When she was quizzed further based on the fact that she claimed to be a good actor to reenact a scenario were she just caught her cheating boyfriend in the act – she broke down into a protracted emotionally-charged confession that threatened to flood the auditorium with tears of empathy. Was she acting? Or was she reliving a painful past?The social networking site, Facebook came under fire when one of the wannabe kokolettes was asked to share her thoughts on internet-dating. She was short of condemning everything that exists online, based on the fact that she fell in love with this guy with whom she hooked up on Facebook (whom she never eventually met in person), and because he was living abroad, they spent about 7 hours daily on the phone making marriage plans – but then after years of waiting for her ‘suitor’ to come to Nigeria to officially take her hands in marriage, the guy dropped the bombshell that he didn’t actually believe in mail-order brides (or in this case Facebook bride). That is one hell of a story.One of the applicants was asked, “What do you think is the recipe for a good relationship?”, and she smartly responded boldly, “communication, understanding, and love” - now, here is a girl who understands how to effectively communicate her thoughts to elicit the love and admiration of her audience.Some of these applicants were just preachers who were yet to identify their calling. One of them had a word of wisdom to share with ladies of her ilk, “ before you ever agree to date a guy, make sure you ‘form’ for him for at least 4 weeks, 6 months, 2 years –the duration is up to you, but for me I’ve been ‘forming’ for a guy for 4 years now” she stated proudly – now time for translation, the word “forming” can be interchanged with either of these words “Stalling” or “pretending” – take your pick. Well, the “forming expert” continued her preaching with a warning, “but remember that when you ‘form’ for a guy for too long, don’t ever give in to him, because once he sleeps with you, he’ll dump you like a wet rag, so just keep stalling”Be warned. If you’re about to take this girl’s advice, you’ll be sitting on a very long thing. And guys; now you know!
Read more…
An American, Mr. Sean Alsilski, was seen hawking gala sausage rolls yesterday, at the Ojota area of Lagos state.
He easily drew a large crowd as Lagosians laughed and wondered what could have made him to hawk gala in Lagos, and on a sunny day too.
But Alsilski, unperturbed by the people watching and giggling at him, continued to sell his stuff to motorists and passersby who were eager to buy from him, some just for the fun of it.
He rebuffed people trying to ask him why he was out in the streets selling gala, saying he was too busy to talk to anyone. After much prompting by this reporter, he opened up on why he was out selling gala on Lagos streets. Alsilski said he came to Lagos to carry out a six-month research project on hawking and street trading in Lagos, and the best way to get the answers that he wants was to get involved in the real business rather than be an observer.
He said he had already spent five months in Lagos, hawking gala at different parts of the state. “I am here to do a research on hawking and street trading. I was billed to be in Nigeria for six months as part of the Fullbright exchange programme. “I have been here for five months now, hawking. I have one month to go. I am going to give a presentation to the United States Embassy about my research,” said Alsilski. Born in the city of New York, the United States, Alsilski lamented that from what he has observed, government was harsh on hawkers and street traders.
“Hawkers here are under stress right now from the government and I am studying what the government is doing right now. We can make some recommendations. “Government is harsh on them. Some of them have had their goods taken away. I am not sure that is the best way to go about it. “In some cities, hawkers and traders are given licenses and allowed to go to certain areas to hawk. But hawkers should not be allowed to hawk in places like Oshodi,” he stated. Alsilski's hawking business has taken him to Yaba, Ojuelegba, Mushin, Ojota, Mile 2, Apapa, Lagos Island and Agege.
Read more…
Nigerian television ‘Centage Superstar’, the music talent show, is here. The reality television show, themed around the search for a fresh Nigerian music superstar who will represent the Nigerian music scene and Nigeria as a whole inside and outside the country, is being put together by Centage Savings and Loans Limited (Mortgage bankers) with Kennis Music, Nigeria’s big music label.advertisement Ask9ja ClassifiedsNaija for London then click here !utube4naija Nollywood videos and moviesThe finance bank whose strong point includes a dynamic board comprising some ex- directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria has teamed up with Kennis Music to discover the best artiste in the country through a chain of nation- wide auditions.Keke and D1The eventual winner is expected to go home with a brand new Toyota Prado Jeep worth N7m, N2m cash and a N10m deal with Kennis.“What can we say? Our interest is making the Nigerian music industry boom. So when the responsibility is vested in us to see to it that we groom and nurture new acts, it actually means that we are recognised in and outside the industry as one of a pathfinder and credible actor in the Nigerian music scene,” Kenny Ogungbe said.Kennis Music founded by Kenny Ogungbe since inception signed acts like The Remedies, KSB, Lagbaja, OJB, 2face, Marvelous Benjy, Azadus, Sound Sultan, Baba Dee to mention a few.The basic objective of the Centage superstar is said to be to discover and promote young music Nigerian superstars. Every winner that emerges from each region goes back home with N1m, and an opportunity to represent his/her region in the grand finale in March 2010.The second prize is a Toyota Corolla and N1m, while the third position goes home with N500, 000 and a yet-to-be announced consolation prize. “It is the first time in the history of Nigeria that this will be happening,” the organisers told news men in Lagos on Friday.Also at stake for the contestants and member of the public is a house located in Abuja.Meanwhile, the official launch for the show held on Friday, June 12, 2008 at the Civic centre, and the forms are being sold in all UBA, Intercontental and Centage branches across the country for N3, 000.The launch event was hosted by Basorge Tariah Junior
Read more…
IF YOU ARE THE ONE WOULDN’T YOU RUN?Read the mail below and answer the question.Late in 1994, an 87 year old great-grand father passed on in a village close to Amai, Kwale, Delta State.The late man’s grandson by name Ufiaka (26 years old and fairly educated) was given some money and asked to travel to Agbor and buy a fine casket for his grand pa’s burial.Ufiaka left base early and arrived Agbor in good time to purchase the casket and make the return journey same day. He was fortunate to get an open back white coloured Peugeot 404 pickup heading for Amai. He, however, had to ride in the back of the pickup with the casket because two market women travelling to Amai were already seated in front with the driver.On the home journey, they ran into a heavy rain storm close to Urhonigbe and Ufiaka quickly opened the Casket, laid himself nicely in the well-padded interior, covered the lid and used the folded newspaper he had with him to leave a small opening between the lid and the main body of the white casket to ensure adequate ventilation. The interior of the casket was very comfortable and Ufiaka fell into a very deep sleep.The rain had subsided at the time the pickup van arrived at Umutu and during a brief stop there, two men travelling to Amai entered the vehicle at the back and the same happened at Obiaruku where a man and a woman travelling also to Amai entered the vehicle. All this while, Ufiaka was enjoying his beautiful sleep inside the Casket completely unaware of the new passengers who boarded at Umutu and Obiaruku.The pickup van arrived Amai just after 5 p.m. and the driver, who was now very hungry, stopped in front of a busy bukataria to have a quick bite before proceeding to the next village. The sudden stoppage and revving of the pickup’s engine woke Ufiaka who then opened the lid of the Casket and rose up.Trouble! Trouble!! Wahala!!! Katakata!!!!The passengers in the back of the pickup jumped out of the vehicle from various points and took to their heels in various directions. The people eating in open type bukataria (including the mama-put and her service girls) who saw the white casket open and a ‘ghost’ step out, ran off all over the place some with balls of eba and akpu in their hands. Ufiaka, seeing people running ‘helter skelter’ was convinced that armed robbers were operating and decided to take-off in the direction three of the passengers, including the women, were running.When the three passengers realised that Ufiaka was running towards them, they increased speed and shouted ghost, ghost and to further worsen the situation, Ufiaka was dressed in white up and down with white shoes to match that day.With the shouting of ghost, other people in their homes came out to see what was going on and on seeing people running at high speed all over they joined in the race for dear life and the number just swelled.The driver and the two market women were running too! When they saw people pointing to Ufiaka that he was the ghost they started laughing at their stupidity for not knowing what they were running from before they started running.IF NA YOU SEE DE GHOST, WETIN YOU GO DO?Regards.
Read more…
-Military investigates
A Ukrainian plane loaded with weapons was, on Tuesday night, impounded by Air Force intelligence at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
advertisement
Four people; two pilots and two other foreign nationals, who were on board, were arrested, while some Nigerians who attempted to clear the weapons were also arrested.
A competent airport source, who confirmed the arrests, told journalists that the Air Force men, who impounded the plane, were on duty at the airport.
The plane, painted red and marked UR-CAK, according to sources, was impounded on the arrival terminal at the airport, based on intelligence report.
The impounded plane was seen parked at the airport, when the Nigerian Tribune visited the place, with security operatives mounting surveillance while sources said that investigations were on to know the mission and why such weapons were brought into Nigeria.
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that security chiefs at the airport were meeting to ensure that the pilot gave details of their mission in Nigeria.
Sources at the airport revealed that the plane was going to Malabo, Equitorial Guinea and that it only stopped in Kano to refuel.
Those who spoke on the appearance of the plane and its crew gave kudos to the officers at the airport, adding that the flying in of the weapons was a big security threat to Nigeria.
The airport workers, while commenting on the development, said that the apprehension of the Ukrainian cargo plane was a job well done by the Nigerian security men.
All efforts to speak with the airport commandant of the Nigerian Air Force were unsuccessful. A top officer said he could not speak on the issue at that moment. “You pressmen have to wait till tomorrow or preferably when the investigation might have been completed,” he said.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed the story and informed that the military was investigating the circumstances and the owners of the arms on the plane.
Read more…
It is indeed true that the truth sets one free and ushers in many blessings.This actress is set to wed her dream man in a matter of months revealed sources ''remember that mercy granted an interview to the sunday sun some months back where she talked about her poor background and how much she suffered and used to hawk pure water on the streets.Well her husband to-be read that interview and made frantic efforts to contact her,he eventually did and the two hit it off after they met in abuja for the first time.now they are set to formalise their union''.Mercys prince is a prince from the delta region of nigeria,he is from ughelli and is named prince ibrahim dumuje,he is in his early fourties,was once married but is dvorced.my sources also squeal that the home of the johnsons at iba estate was agog in the first week of may when ibrahim and his people visited and began traditional wedding rites.''they were warmly received and the whole family is excited and have accpeted ibrahim as their own because of his kind heart.hehas also spoilt mercys family silly with gifts''Mercy and her prince were spotted enroute to south africa on sunday june 7,2009 and the olofofo friend of this actress affirms both were on their way to shop for rings for the wedding coming up soon, also whispered is that the traditioonal and church weddings will be completed in a matter of months as loverboy does not want to waste anytime at all.The prince who has captured mercys heart is..(wait for this)v-e-r-y rich and insiders whom were sworn to secrecy swear the actress has been enveloped in expensive gifts since she met him.''please the next time you see mercy,take a good look at her engagement finger and you would be sure to spot the diamond ring purchased in south africa. loverboy works with the presidency and has been introducing the actress to everyone as his wife''.The lovebirds should be back in the country if the whispers are correct.theres no need for denials,please congratulate this actress if you see her,shes about to become mrs mercy johnson-dumuje!
Read more…
Man comes home, finds his wife with his friend in bed.He shoots his friend to death.Wife says "If you continue to behave like this, youWill lose ALL your friends".================================================Small Boy wrote to Father Christmas," send me a brother"Father Christmas wrote back," SEND ME YOUR MOTHER"=================================================What is the definition of Mistress?Someone between the Mister and Mattress=================================================Husband asks, "Do u know the meaning of WIFE??"Without Information, Fighting every time"Wife replies," No, It means,"With Idiot For Ever!!!”=================================================Three Feelings:What's the difference between stress, tension and Panic?Stress is when wife is pregnant,Tension is when girlfriend is pregnant andPanic is when both are pregnant.=================================================Teacher: Do you know the importance of period?Kid: Yes, once my sister said she has missed one, my mom fainted, dad got heart attack & our driver ran away.=================================================Some women asked a man who was traveling with six children, are all these kids yours??Man replies; No, I work in a condom factory & these are customer complaints.=================================================Two men met while both were looking for their lost wives.1st: What does yours look like?2nd: She is 5"7, 36-24-36, Fair, Black eyes. What about yours?1st: Forget mine. Let's find yours!!=================================================A Son asks the difference between confidence and Confidential.Dad says, you are my son, I'm confident. Your friend isAlso my son, that's confidential!=================================================Mother to her teenage daughter: I think this is the rightTime we should talk about sex.Daughter (Excitingly): Sure mom! Tell me, what you want toKnow.Mother Faints...
Read more…
The General Overseer of a pentecostal church in Port Harcourt, River State narrowly escaped being lynched on Monday night after he and an aide were caught attempting to bury charms in the home of a businessman.
advertisement here ask9ja.com classifieds
He had intended to deceive the man and the crowd at a crusade that the charm was buried in the businessman’s house by enemies.
Unfortunately, the evil plot of the general overseer whose church (name withheld) is located in the Diobu area of the capital city blew up in his face as his aide, also a pastor, was caught bringing out the calabash of charms from his clothes, while the ‘deliverance’ prayer was in progress.
Incidentally, it was the businessman who in defiance of an order that all eyes remain closed while the charm was being dug out, caught the pastor in the act.
The general overseer’s journey to disgrace began when he attended a three-day crusade of another church, Destiny Blenders Church at the Eagle Island area of the city as the guest preacher.
It was gathered that during his ministration, the general overseer announced to the crowded congregation that he had a vision that a charm was buried in the residence of the businessman to destroy his wealth and health with the sole intention of killing him slowly.
The senior clergyman who also preaches weekly on one of the local television stations, consequently arranged for his aassistant pastor to unearth the buried charm while the main crusade was in progress.
On arrival in the home of the businessman, a deliverance prayer laced with speaking in tongues, commenced with all eyes closed while the assistant pastor started digging a particular spot already identified as where the destructive charm was supposedly buried.
Unknown to all who were gathered at the ‘uprooting’ exercise, the businessman did not close his eyes and he saw the assistant pastor bringing out the satanic calabash from his pocket and raised alarm.
The assistant pastor was alleged to have confessed that his General Overseer gave him the calabash to bury and pretend that it had been there long before the crusade.
He was later led back to the crusade venue where the general overseer apparently oblivious that his dubious plot has been exposed, was still preaching.
Both men were later beaten black and blue before they were handed over to some mobile policemen who led them away.
When contacted, Police spokesperson in the state, Mrs Rita Inoma-Abbey (DSP), told Daily Sun that she was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Read more…
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Islamic insurgents killed Somalia's top security minister and at least 24 other people yesterday in a suicide car-bomb attack at a hotel frequented by government officials.The attack, which followed the killing a day earlier of Mogadishu's police chief during skirmishes in the capital, was the latest violence in a two-month battle for control of the Horn of Africa nation. Government soldiers are fighting insurgents seeking to install an Islamic state.National Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden had been leading a recent government offensive against militants in Mogadishu and other parts of the country, successfully recapturing districts that had fallen to insurgents. He was meeting with other government officials and clan elders in the central Somalia town of Beledweyne, about 200 miles north of Mogadishu and near the Ethiopian border, when the attacked occurred.Somalia's president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, said the car bomb was evidence that international terrorists were trying to establish a beachhead in Somalia."Somalia has been invaded by al-Qaeda, which wants to make a hideout inside Somalia," Ahmed said in Mogadishu. "Day after day, many foreign people arrive in Somalia. I call on the international community to support us so we can eliminate these terrorists together."The government and U.N. officials say at least 200 foreign fighters from Yemen, Pakistan, and other nations have entered Somalia to assist the hard-line Islamic militia al-Shabab, which has pledged its allegiance to al-Qaeda.A Shabab spokesman acknowledged responsibility for yesterday's attack. "One of our holy warriors used a car laden with explosives to enter the building where the apostate and other members from his group were meeting," spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said in a telephone news conference.His militia accuses Ethiopia of sending soldiers over the border in recent weeks to bolster the Somalian government. Ethiopian government officials denied the claims. In 2006, Ethiopia's army helped the Somalian government topple an Islamic regime that had seized control of Mogadishu.A Western diplomat in Kenya downplayed Shabab's al-Qaeda connections, saying the foreign fighters entering Somalia did not appear to be well-trained. But the diplomat, who was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity, said the international community should move quickly to support the government.The United States has provided about $1 million in aid to the government over the last six months, but Somalian officials say they need more to train and arm soldiers.Civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence. As many as 250 people have died since May, according to local estimates. In addition, about 120,000 people have been displaced by the current fighting, the U.N. refugee agency said.
Read more…
Man comes home, finds his wife with his friend in bed.He shoots his friend to death.Wife says "If you continue to behave like this, youWill lose ALL your friends".================================================Small Boy wrote to Father Christmas," send me a brother"Father Christmas wrote back," SEND ME YOUR MOTHER"=================================================What is the definition of Mistress?Someone between the Mister and Mattress=================================================Husband asks, "Do u know the meaning of WIFE??"Without Information, Fighting every time"Wife replies," No, It means,"With Idiot For Ever!!!”=================================================Three Feelings:What's the difference between stress, tension and Panic?Stress is when wife is pregnant,Tension is when girlfriend is pregnant andPanic is when both are pregnant.=================================================Teacher: Do you know the importance of period?Kid: Yes, once my sister said she has missed one, my mom fainted, dad got heart attack & our driver ran away.=================================================Some women asked a man who was traveling with six children, are all these kids yours??Man replies; No, I work in a condom factory & these are customer complaints.=================================================Two men met while both were looking for their lost wives.1st: What does yours look like?2nd: She is 5"7, 36-24-36, Fair, Black eyes. What about yours?1st: Forget mine. Let's find yours!!=================================================A Son asks the difference between confidence and Confidential.Dad says, you are my son, I'm confident. Your friend isAlso my son, that's confidential!=================================================Mother to her teenage daughter: I think this is the rightTime we should talk about sex.Daughter (Excitingly): Sure mom! Tell me, what you want toKnow.Mother Faints...
Read more…
whenever ur friend hurts u or u argued write it on the sand so wind of forgivness can blow it away but,if ur friend or anyone had saved ur life or help u in anyway write it or carv it out so it remain permanent and u can always remember dat particular thing forever.!!
Read more…
What drives you?"Your life has to do with the agenda that has been set for you by you, by that part of you that we’ve come to call, in our language, your soul."-- Neale Donald WalschOur purpose in life has a spiritual foundation. Our MAJOR LIFE ISSUES are usually of 3 types:- physical and POWER-ORIENTED, like making our stand and being more courageous.- emotional and LOVE-ORIENTED, like expressing and receiving love, compassion and nurturing others.- mental and INTELLECT-ORIENTED, like developing our minds and creating new things and processes."Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be."-- Morris AdlerIt's time to wake up, paradise is here and now.
Read more…
A husband wrote the following letter for his wife and left it on the dining room table:'To My Dear Wife.You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, being 54 years old, can no longer satisfy. I am very happy with you & I value you as a good wife. Therefore, after reading this letter, I hope that you will not wrongly interpret the fact that I will be spending the evening with my 18 year old secretary at the Comfort Inn Hotel. Please don't be upset - I shall be home before midnight.'When the man came home late that night, he found the following letter on the dining room table:'To My Dear Husband.I received your letter and thank you for your honesty about my being 54 years old. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that you are also 54 years old. As you know, I am a math teacher at our local college. I would like to inform you that while you read this, I will be at the Marriot Hotel with Michael, one of my students. He is young, virile, and like your secretary, is 18 years old. As a successful businessman who has an excellent knowledge of Math, you will understand that although it may appear that we are in the same situation, there is one mathematical difference:'18 goes into 54 a lot more times than 54 goes into 18.'Therefore, I will not be home until sometime tomorrow.'
Read more…
A Ukrainian aircraft reported to be carrying crates of weapons has been detained in Nigeria.It had made an emergency landing in the northern Nigerian city of Kano while on a flight to Equatorial Guinea.Nigerian security officials say 18 crates with mines and ammunition were on board, but there are no details of exactly who the cargo was destined for.The three crew members, reported to be Ukrainian, are being questioned, but few details other have been released.BBC reporter Mustafa Mohamed, in Kano, says the aircraft was placed under guard, and security forces are continuing their investigations.It is believed the plane made the emergency landing because of a technical fault.Attack on palaceEarlier this year, the authorities in Equatorial Guinea arrested a number of people in connection with an attack on the presidential palace in the capital, Malabo.A the time of the incident, in February, state radio in Equatorial Guinea said that those detained had been operating with other members of a rebel group based in Nigeria's Niger Delta region.It said some of those who attacked the palace had been killed or wounded.Rebels of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) denied involvement.The Equatorial Guinea President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, later dismissed several government ministers.The president has been in power in the oil-rich former Spanish colony since seizing power in a coup in 1979.His government has long been accused of human rights abuses and of suppressing political opposition.Last year, a former British army officer, Simon Mann, was sentenced to 34 years in jail for plotting to overthrow him in 2004.
Read more…
I'm here at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, no great shakes as a sporting event in its own right,but hugely significant as a dry run for the World Cup Finals a year from now. It'll be Africa's first and franklyabout time the great continent got its chance to stage the most popular sporting event on earth.I was in Zurich nine years ago, July 2000, breaking the news that South Africa had been beaten to the stagingof the 2006 World Cup by Germany. You may remember the huge row that broke out when one of the FIFA delegatesan elderly gent from New Zealand called Charlie Dempsey refused to cast his vote amid allegations of impropercanvassing by the bidding countries and it cost South Africa victory by that one single vote. Like many of themedia and fans who'd hoped it would be Africa's turn at last, it was a huge disappointment, and I spent much ofthat afternoon being interviewed by South African journalists on how unfair it all was. They were the favouritesto win the vote and their greatest day had been snatched away in the cruellest fashion.Less than a year later though, those who believed that it was a blessing in disguise, that South Africa wasnot yet ready to stage the World Cup, were vindicated. In echoes of Heysel and Hillsborough 43 fans were killed ina terrible crush at Ellis Park in Johannesburg after up to one hundred thousand fans reportedly tried to forcetheir way into a domestic club match at the old stadium which had room for only sixty thousand. It was a tragedythat shocked everyone, yet one that perhaps proved the turning point for the post-apartheid rainbow nation.Within three years South Africa had won the right to stage 2010, and with the ten World Cup stadiums now almostcomplete, over the next couple of weeks we'll get a chance to see how they'll handle it. It hasn't beenthe easiest start for them, I arrived here in Johannesburg to reports that FIFA President was unhappy at the sightof empty seats for the two opening Confederations Cup matches between the hosts and Iraq, and the team of themoment Spain against New Zealand. Blatter's long been an advocate of having an African World Cup (in fact he wasready to make the casting vote in their favour over Germany had it not been for Charlie Dempsey's controversialabstention at that fateful Zurich vote nine years ago) but he's a hard man to please. On top of those empty seatsthe pitches here have already been criticised, one of the team's luggage went missing, and the new park and ridefor the opening match in Johannesburg went pear-shaped too.I'll be honest here too, I walked through Jo'burg airport to the immigration desk set aside for FIFA accreditedpeople and was confronted by a short-tempered female officer who told me I had to go to the back of the regularqueue because I didn't have a FIFA proof-of-ID letter that nobody had told me I would need. She was in a right oldmood and got us right off on the wrong foot. What made it so ridiculous was that she had a FIFA list of names(with mine on it) right in front of her but wouldn't look at it because I didn't have the letter. Anyway,I evenutally showed her my name on the list, she saw common-sense and into South Africa I came. Phew!Still, that's what the dress rehearsal is for, better get the gremlins out of the way now before the worldand his wife arrives for the real thing next June. It's a dry run for a reason. Everywhere else here the welcome has been incredible and thehundreds of thousands who'll come here from all over the globe can expect a fantastic reception.I made straight for Ellis Park ,legendary rugby venue of course, and one which staged the 1995 Rugby World Cupbut much has changed since then, not least after the aforementioned disaster in 2001. The stadium has beenrebuilt and will play a major part in 2010, along with nine others (five of them brand new). I'll be visitingmost of them over the coming fortnight and will keep you posted on what we can expect next year.
Read more…
Do> you wear bra for the whole day and even at home?> I think we should go bra-free after reading this article.>> It's a message for your health.> Please pass this to all female friends you know.> I think it's important to be aware.>> For years, a lot of articles with regards to the causes of> breast> cancer point to an unhealthy diet and lack of> exercise as the major links to this disease which> happens to be the biggest killer among women during these> last two decades.>> These studies would have been most credible if it were not> for the fact that several women including Linda> McCartney who have been religious vegetarians and> exercise- freaks have also been unfortunate in> suffering breast cancer.>> Perhaps the most convincing article I have ever read with> regards to this matter is one which links breast cancer to> the wearing of bras.>> In the "Bra and Breast Cancer Study" in the> United States , It was discovered that women with breast> cancer had> a history of sporting tighter and longer bra-wearing than> did the women who had not (yet) developed the disease.>> In fact, virtually the entire cancer group wore bras over> 12 hours.>> When a woman wears a tight bra, she subjects her breasts to> pressure, closing off the lymphatic pathway from the breast> to the nodes.>> This causes fluid built-up swelling, tenderness and cyst> formation. Toxins must be flushed out via the lymphatic.>> However, a bra-constricted breast cannot adequately perform> this> cleansing process, resulting in toxin accumulation in the> breast.>> Truthfully, bras are creating droopy, weak breasts..... the> breast relies on the bras for artificial support; the body> loses its ability to support the breast by itself.>> This is why many women feel uncomfortable without the bra.> What is the solution to breast cancer then?> DON'T WEAR A TIGHT BRA! And maybe sleep without them.>> There is a remarkable success rate for recovery from fibrocystic breast disease within 10 days to> two weeks of going bra-free.>> Many women have tried going bra-less and recorded a> miraculous improvement in their health!> Bra burning is no longer a feminist issue....>> .....It is now a battle between life and death. We should> make others more aware of the hazards of wearing..... ..>> .... Please pass this to every female you> know, husbands please educate your> wives.>>>>>
Read more…
Ibrahim Idris, governor of Kogi State, is determined to win the war against the mafia behind the ghost workers syndrome in the stateIbrahim Idris, governor of Kogi State, is worried by the astronomical increase in the number of civil servants on the state’s payroll. When he assumed office in 2003, the total number of civil servants in the state was about 22,000, but today it has risen to 28,000. This number is said to be the highest among the 19 northern states. The governor is, therefore, suspicious that the ghost workers syndrome has crept into the state civil service.In a bid to address the problem, he recently engaged the services of a consultant to screen the civil servants in the state. So far, about 48 civil servants who were found to be involved in falsifying the vouchers have been charged to court for fraud.Phrank Shuaibu, special adviser to the governor on strategy and communication, told Newswatch that the decision of the state government to embark on the staff screening exercise was borne out of the realisation that a lot of fraud has been going on in the civil service. In 2004 and 2006, the state government attempted to screen the staff in the civil service. Members of the labour unions in the state were involved in the exercise but the effort did not yield any positive result. That is why, this time around, the government decided to hire a consultant. But the executive members of labour union in the state are said to have been sidelined and allegedly resolved to do everything possible to frustrate the effort.However, a section of the labour force has now discovered that they had been misled into believing that the exercise was not in their interest. Shuaibu said those behind the disinformation were the cabals behind the ghost worker syndrome which has been going on in the state for a long time and warned that no amount of blackmail would deter Idris from going ahead with the exercise. He appealed to members of the labour unions in the state to co-operate with the government instead of allowing themselves to be used by some people who do not mean well for the state. “It is unfortunate that the labour union is allowing itself to be used by agents of evil in the state,” he said.He explained that it doesn’t happen anywhere in the world that the person that does not have the power to employ could be engaged to terminate the employment of some staff as alleged by some persons who are bent in throwing the state into chaos.According to him, the terms of reference of the consultant include to conduct a screening of the staff of the state civil service in order to determine the exact number of those in the workforce. The government spokesperson said the government is uncomfortable with the overbloated number of staff in the workforce because it has not done any major recruitment of staff since it came to power in 2003. He advised all the workers to be patient and wait to see the end of the exercise, assuring that it was in their own interest.The ongoing exercise has already revealed monumental frauds in the state. Shuaibu sited the case of a grade level 08 officer who is supposed to be earning a salary of about N16,000 monthly but who is being paid about N188,000. While what goes into the bank account of the concerned staff is the normal amount that is due to the person at the end of each month, the balance of N166,000 goes to the cartel behind the scandal. He said that under the present circumstance, no leader who is accountable and responsible would sit and watch the fraud continue unchecked. “The governor has said that those involved in this criminal act would not go unpunished irrespective of their positions,” he said.But the executive members of the labour union in the state are saying that it is wrong for anybody to say that they are frustrating the present effort of the state to arrive at the correct number of the state civil service and eliminate ghost workers.James Odaudu, chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JPSNC, an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC, told Newswatch that members of the labour union in the state have been supportive of the staff screening. Odaudu added that the previous exercise that was conducted in partnership with some members of labour union in the state could not achieve the desired result because the members of the union were not given free hand to operate. He said that when the state government decided to embark on the current screening, the union approached the government and asked for N2million to conduct staff verification in the state instead of engaging the services of Sally Tibbot Consulting Nigeria Limited to conduct the screening, but the proposal was ignored.A staff in the Mministry of Finance who spoke to Newswatch on condition of anonymity said ghost workers had been existing in the state for a long time and their elimination would be a big credit to the present government in state. He solicited the understanding of the labour union as the ongoing exercise is meant to reposition the state and provide the people with more dividends of democracy. But he appealed to the consultant to abide strictly by the terms of the contract so that the prevailing peace in the state would not be jeorpadised.Another staff in the Ministry of Information said some government officials were responsible for the problem of ghost workers in the state and urged the government to muster courage and complete the investigation.Many civil servants are in support of the exercise because many of their colleagues are living above their means. There is the case of a multimillion naira investment owned by a grade level 04 civil servant in the state. Many residents of the state are surprised at the rate civil servants are investing in estate properties. A woman who operates a restaurant business along Ajaokuta road told Newswatch that most of the best houses in Lokoja town are owned by civil servants. The problem of ghost workers is one of the greatest challenges facing the state government in its quest to deliver to the people the desired dividends of democracy.David Bada, a former staff of Lokoja local government area, also called on the state government to compel the chairmen of local councils in the state to carry out similar staff verification in their respective local government areas where they said some cabals have also been benefiting from ghost workers syndrome.
Read more…
Chairman of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Limited, Jiang Jianqing, is billed to visit Nigeria between June 16 and 18.
The visit, which is part of the strategic relationship between Nigeria and China, will entail Jiang paying courtesy calls to the Lagos State Governor and the Minister of Finance, among many Chinese business interests in Nigeria.
ICBC has a 20 per cent stake in Standard Bank Group, the Africa based banking group to which Stanbic IBTC belongs.
The China-Nigeria visit is both a historic and a unique opportunity, as China's interest in Nigeria will bring about immense benefits to the two countries.
Chris Newson, Chief Executive officer of Stanbic IBTC said the visit of Jiang could not have come at a better time.
"Nigeria has a high growth rate, but with considerable infrastructure development needs which will benefit from ICBC's long association and expertise in infrastructure financing especially in developing countries."
"We are proud to be associated with ICBC, a bank that is noted for the uniqueness of its products and services and its strong developmental focus. While Stanbic IBTC is already a foremost bank in the area of infrastructure financing in Nigeria, we trust that our continued partnership will contribute to broadening and deepening our services in this area, among others."
The Moody's report which ranked ICBC as the largest bank in the world, noted that strong regulatory controls and focus on traditional banking fortified the bank against the global financial crisis.
ICBC was described as the largest bank in the world in terms of market capitalization, deposits, and total profits.
Stanbic IBTC Bank is a member of the Standard Bank Group. Since its formation in 2008 from a merger between the erstwhile Stanbic Bank and IBTC Chartered Bank respectively, Stanbic IBTC Bank has remained at the forefront of financing major infrastructural projects cutting across different economic sectors in Nigeria.
Stanbic IBTC Bank's country-wide branch roll out is also progressing rapidly and the Bank has a growing retail presence in Nigeria.
Read more…
Ezuma Hospital, Aba, shut down a few months ago by the Federal Government for its involvement in procuring illegal abortions and sale of babies, has reopened its doorsJames Ezuma, the proprietor of Ezuma Private Hospital in Aba, Abia State, obviously considers himself a powerful Nigerian who is above the laws of the land. That is the only way to make sense out of the man’s decision to reopen his hospital and continue with his nefarious activities of procuring abortions and trading in babies.On May 21, Ezuma forcefully reopened his hospital which had been sealed off by members of the Nigerian Police. The police sealed off the place on March 30, following the Newswatch publication of January 12, 2009, which exposed the dirty deals of the Aba-based medical doctor. The report gave a shocking account of how Ezuma had turned his hospital located at 101 Okigwe Road, Aba, into a camp where pregnant girls are kept preparatory to their giving birth. Once they are delivered of their babies, Ezuma would take possession of them and sell to willing buyers.The Newswatch report left many people in shock, with Nigerians wondering how the man had been able to sustain his trade all these years undetected. Nonetheless, the Newswatch report spurred the Federal Ministry of Health and police into action. Babatunde Osotimehin, minister of health, set up a 15-man panel of inquiry to investigate the allegation and take necessary action.The 15-man body which was known as the Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigating Panel, had, upon completing its investigation, confirmed the Newswatch story to be true and recommended the closure of the hospital and the suspension of Ezuma from medical practice. Based on the panel’s finding, the police sealed off the hospital. Ezuma, who had evaded arrested that March 30, was later arrested by the police and taken into custody in Abuja. He was released on bail after ten days in detention.But Ezuma now seeks to clear himself of any wrongdoing, saying that a High Court in Umuahia had on March 31, ordered a stay of execution on the matter. The High Court had granted Ezuma’s wish for the enforcement of his "fundamental human rights to dignity of human person, fair hearing, private and family life, freedom of thought, conscience, religion and freedom of expression as guaranteed,” saying that “under sections 34, 36, 37,38 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the enforcement of his fundamental rights “shall operate as a stay of all actions or matters connected with the suspension,” pending the “final determination of the applicant’s application” before the court.To Ezuma, this interpretes as an order for him to continue with his illegal activities. But that is not true.Although the court ordered for a stay of execution, it did not in anyway stay that his hospital should be reopened or that his licence should be reissued before the final determination of the case which comes up on July 2.The 15-man Medical and Dental Practitioners Investigating Panel had, following its investigations, written to Ezuma informing him that the panel inaugurated by the minister of health had done its investigation. “The panel has now submitted its report which indicted Dr James Ezuma on all scores. The honourable minister of health has directed the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to take necessary action. Consistent with the provision of S15(3)(C) of the Medical and Dental Practitioners Act, Cap M8, LOFON 2004, the panel has made an order for interim suspension from medical profession of Dr James Ezuma with effect from March 25, 2009 until the final determination of the case by the Medical and Dental Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.”It was based on this report that the police swooped on the hospital on March 30 and evacuated 59 pregnant teenage girls from the hospital who were later handed over to the Aba South Social Welfare Department.Having now returned to Aba, Ezuma, on May 21, brought a carpenter and welder and forced the hospital open. He then recruited some Bakassi Boys as his security. The Bakassi Boys are the local vigilante team popular for their unorthodox way of fighting crime. According to one Aba resident, “in the past, the Bakassi Boys were held in high esteem in Aba because of their effort in combating crime, given the failure of the Nigeria Police in that respect. But that has since changed, as they are now considered to be corrupt and are being used to do dirty jobs in Aba.” That, he said, explains why the security outfit could now be bought “for a fee by a man like Ezuma, who is alleged to be a child trafficker.”The Bakassi Boys now mount guard at Ezuma hospital located at 101 Okigwe Road, Aba. The intention is to intimidate people and give the impression that he is a powerful man who cannot be cowed. Newswatch learnt that the Bakassi Boys often shoot into the air at night as a way to register their presence and send signals that they are in charge. Newswatch sources said Ezuma decided to recruit the Bakassi Boys after his wish to engage the services of the police was rebuffed. A source in Aba said “the police in Aba were afraid to offer him protection because his activities had become public knowledge. He wanted to go to Umuahia, Abia State capital, to get same but was advised against it. So, he went for the Bakassi Boys as a last resort.”Since the hospital was reopened on May 21, Ezuma has continued from where he stopped prior to his arrest.Many people, who spoke to Newswatch on condition of anonymity, said Ezuma had practised his trade unchallenged for many years. “That is all he does. Apart from those who willingly go to him, he is known to recruit jobless young men and women to scout for pregnant girls after which he would pay them as much as N20,000 per person. He has been doing this for over 20 years. He has sustained himself through the sale of babies, apart from the abortion business,” said a source. Even then, abortion is said to be the last option in the business calculation of Ezuma, because of the huge profit he makes from selling babies. A baby sells for as much as N400,000 at Ezuma private hospital.According to another source who gave her name as Nkemjika, Ezuma is known to attract many girls to his hospital because of his kindness to them in crisis moments. “You know, teenage pregnancy is frowned upon here. So, some of these young girls, when they discover that they are pregnant, they run away from home. Some are directed to go to Ezuma Hospital for an abortion. Once there, the man will advise the girls not to abort the pregnancies but to give birth to them. Once you agree, he will take good care of you until you are delivered of your baby. Then he will pay you some money before you leave the hospital. How much you are paid depends on the sex of the baby. A baby boy attracts more fee.”Even if this was for any good intention, such action of placing premium on a child’s sex is enough to draw the ire of feminists. But according to an Okigwe road resident, it’s all about money. “Trafficking in babies is as lucrative as any other illicit business, and that’s why the man is not willing to quit.”Sources further told the magazine that more pregnant girls have arrived the hospital either to live there or to have their babies aborted since May 21. Unfortunately, such acts come at great cost. A young woman was said to have died there on June 2. According to the source, at least five deaths are recorded at Ezuma Private Hospital per week. “If we have about five people losing their lives at the hospital weekly, you can imagine the number of people who lose their lives there in a year, considering that at least 30 persons come there everyday.”Newswatch investigations in Aba also showed that many residents of the town, especially those who are aware of Ezuma’s activities, are shocked that the man is back at his business. This tends to reinforce the belief in some quarters that the medical doctor is powerful. Said a source: “Many people are shocked. They feel that it takes a truly powerful man to dare the federal government. And the man has been saying that he’s untouchable, that if you bring him down, you pull many other people down. He tells his friends that he will come out of it stronger, that nobody can pull him down.”But his activities are a source of embarrassment to many people, including his townsmen. He is from Arondizuogu in Imo State and his activities which run counter to the Hippocratic oath, has attracted numerous petitions from concerned people over the years. But the man is believed to have always had his way with law enforcement officials because of his inclination to “pay his way through each time.”Newswatch visited the Police Area Command headquarters in Aba but was told that the area commander had been transferred to Umuahia. But Johnson Uzuatuegwu, who is the director of medical services in the state, said that he is not aware that Ezuma has reopened his hospital. “Following the order for his suspension, we monitored the place and saw it sealed. We are not aware that the place has been reopened. Our team of inspectors will go there and see for themselves,” he said.Uchechi Sam Okorie is the head of department of Aba South Local Government. He told Newswatch that selling of babies is a criminal offence that runs foul of the state’s child right law of 2006.Emmanuel Ahuruezenma, the director of social development at Aba North Local Government Area, said that although he is not aware of any such place where babies are sold in Aba, he has heard about it. “I’ve heard of it but I’ve never seen nor had any relationship with such people.” He however deplored the practice, saying that it offends human sensibility. “It’s bad. It’s not a good thing. Children are gifts from God and are not meant to be sold. They are not material things that could be sold or bought.”Ezuma is indeed a qualified medical doctor who graduated from the University of Jos in 1983. But unlike many doctors who deploy their services to saving lives, Ezuma gets his own kick either terminating pregnancies or selling newborn babies. He is said to have made huge fortune from such practice.He started by first establishing a clinic in Aba in 1987. His “Ezuma Clinic,” as it was then known, was located at No 138 Faulks Road, Aba and was registered under the Eastern Nigeria Hospitals Law No 13 of 1955, with registration number MH/IM/1072/87. Since then, the man and his hospital have become popular, albeit for the wrong reasons.
Read more…
